T2K Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 My Dad owned a bowl-back mandolin for as long as I can remember. The label inside reads ' J P Simmons Company' 'Louisville Kentucky' 'The Pettit' (I think that's the correct spelling). It is stored inside a well worn leather case which appears to be as old as the hills. There is very little information available about it on the web. The thing is in excellent condition and is complete and is a beautiful piece. As far as I can determine the company was in business around 1896. I'm at a dead end in my search for information. Does anyone have any ideas as to where I could search for or inquire about historical information regarding the instrument/company? I'll try to post pictures but it may be a while. Thanks. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillyBob Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hi Keith, try post a search photo on Images? Particularly the label see what that gets a restoration person might be able to help yo out, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 You might try calling a string instrument company like Gibson or Martin, and inquire if they have a research specialist. They might be able to direct you in the right direction. I am a member on the Gibson forum, if you want I can ask over there. There's quite a few pretty knowledgeable people on there. A pic would probably help a lot. Maybe even inquire through one of the old mandolin players website....Bill Monroe was popular in Kentucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 there are a number of vintage musical instrument websites... I would contact one of those with a picture of the face and back of the instrument and also the label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Thanks for the replies so far. I did e-mail a company in Louisville, KY that sold mandolins retail and had an inquiry form for this purpose. Never heard back from them. Next I'm going to try a place in Nashville, but I need to take pictures first. I'll post some here. I'm not sure any mandolin is worth much, other than maybe an old Gibson or a Martin. I'm primarily interested in the history of the thing. The old man had a few old instruments laying around with names like Martin, Gibson, Fender, Emmons. All from the late 50's and early 60's. He played them from Nashville to Texas. Boxes of off brand microphones with numbers like KSM27,SM58, SM57 and other instrument mics. Fender 50 watt tube head unit, Peavey Mace, an 8-track recorder, gated compressor, microverb, powerplay, CD burner, Teac reel-to-reel, tube ultragain and I can't remember what all. Sell you stuff before you kick the bucket and save your kids the decisions/grief of parting with it. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 That 50 watt Fender tube head might be very desirable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I'm wondering whether JP Simmons was the retailer rather than manufacturer. I found the following fellow on the Internet http://www.vintageinstruments.com/museum.html Perhaps he can help. WMcD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I did some research earlier and came across JP Simmons as a mandolin maker, I thought the year was 1902. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 http://www.mugwumps.com/AmerInstMkr.html#S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 23 minutes ago, WMcD said: I'm wondering whether JP Simmons was the retailer rather than manufacturer. I found the following fellow on the Internet http://www.vintageinstruments.com/museum.html Perhaps he can help. WMcD I don't remember running across that before. Thanks Gil, I'll check that out. There's some small tidbits of info floating around. This from The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky December 25, 1896: "Burton Vance, assignee of the J. P. Simmons Company, sued Sheriff Pflanx late yerterday afternoon to secure possession of twelve mandolins, which are alleged to be wrongfully held by the Sheriff. Their value is said to be J1S0. The further sum of Jivj damages for alleged wrongful detention Is tasked. The mandolins were recently levied upon to satisfy a tax . liim. Plaintiff Fays they wrre taken ntier a pretended distress warrant agiln.-'t the property of the firm of J. I. Simmons & Co." Looking inside the sound hole the label is firmly attached and gives the company name and location and the name of the mandolin, "The Pettit". I lifted this picture of the leather case from o'Boy. Dad's is very similar but much more worn. The pictured case form 1883. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 33 minutes ago, Ceptorman said: http://www.mugwumps.com/AmerInstMkr.html#S. Thanks Bill. mugwumps shows circa 1896. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 So... I found Cromwell also listed as J.P. Simmons, which led me to this: https://books.google.com/books?id=uqSPeO0Mhm0C&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=cromwell+musical+instruments&source=bl&ots=i8pI7y0aud&sig=rxjMQMQgt7SoDSIh_kE4eRhREU8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwijtvSTzL_ZAhWI8oMKHaAMAhQQ6AEIPTAE#v=onepage&q=cromwell musical instruments&f=false So someone at Gibson may know more about them, from looking through the link above. Of course, the most famous Gibson mandolins were designed by Lloyd Loar, making the ones with mor or a violin design (carved back and top be a scroll in the body shape) with the F series. Gibson also made the A series that have a flat back and flat or carved top. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwillie Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Contact Gruhn's Guitars in Nashville. 615 256 2033. d. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share Posted February 26, 2018 Thanks for all the replies. I've got to get some pictures. I'll post a few here. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rxonmymind Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I got all excited and jumped into this thread. I thought you were talking about these.... "French mandolin cookies" Carry on.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT FAN Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Sorry I can't be of help, both Matt Umanov guitars & Mandolin Brothers here in NYC both have closed of late. I was sure one of them would have been able to help you. Good luck in your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted March 3, 2018 Author Share Posted March 3, 2018 Thanks for that. I would like to find out something about it out of curiosity. I plan to inquire with a few places in Nashville. Just haven't felt like the drive over to take pics. It's actually a beautiful instrument and if it's as old as it appears in amazing condition/tone/sustain wise. The old man owned it as long as I can remember and he lived 86 years. But who knows. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillyBob Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 stupid as this sounds ... maybe the folk with AntiquesRoadshow can point you to someone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Here's a few pictures. Thank you all for your replies. Keith 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 That's beautiful, someone has to know the story about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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