Name/Title
Gibson A2 Mandolin (1923)Entry/Object ID
2004.6.2Description
Description: Gibson A2 Mandolin (1923):
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family (plucked, or strummed). Mandolins have a long history, and much early music was written for them. In the first half of the 20th century, they enjoyed a period of great popularity in Europe and the Americas as an easier approach to playing string music. The mandolin found a new niche in American country, bluegrass, and folk music. More recently, the Baroque and Classical mandolin repertory and styles have benefited from the raised awareness of and interest in early music
Many variants of the mandolin have existed. At the very end of the nineteenth century, a new style, with a carved top and back construction inspired by violin family instruments began to supplant the European-style bowl-back instruments, especially in the US. This new style is credited to mandolins designed and built by Orville Gibson, a Kalamazoo, Michigan luthier who founded the "Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co., Limited" in 1902. Gibson mandolins evolved into two basic styles: the Florentine or F-style; and the A-style, which is pear shaped, has no points, and usually has a simpler headstock.
Our mandolin is a Gibson Style A2, Serial number 71875, Factory Order number 11783. It has a 1923 (Loar Period) manufacture date (traditional estimates), and a 1923 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson (1902-1941).Collection
Suomynona CollectionDimensions
Width
10 inDepth
3 inLength
25-13/16 inLocation
Location
Container
LeftDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
RightCabinet
F5Wall
NorthBuilding
Founders RoomCategory
Permanent
