Washburn Model 130 1895-1900 - Gloss

The Washburn Style 130 is a vintage bowl-back mandolin originally manufactured in Chicago by Lyon & Healy between circa 1895 and the early 1900s. This instrument is labeled as an award winner in Antwerp in 1894. There are 20 frets on the fretboard. This dates the instrument from 1895 to 1904. It has never been repaired and the light wear on the top is pictured. The name of an owner, Frances Smith, is engraved on the cover on the neck. The labels inside identify it as a Washburn Cremonatone and the serial number on the label matches the number on the neck, 147925, along with the model number, 130. The neck is stamped with the name George Washburn and the serial number. There are 19 shaped Brazilian rosewood ribs comprising the bowl and show no sign of separation or repair. Later bowl-backs went to 15 and 13 ribs. The fret markers are sculpted abalone designs--not the simple buttons found on later Washburn mandolins. The tail piece cover is there. Neither the neck nor the flat top show any sign of bending, warping or curving. The detail of the inlays surrounding the top and the oval opening is very fine. The condition of this instrument is astonishing, considering its age. I just had it professionally set up, cleaned and restrung. It comes with the original embossed leather case, a shape I had not seen before. It has the scuffs and wear one would expect after 120-130 years. It took the beating and the instrument survived.