Vintage Early 1900s H.A. Weymann & Son Keystone State High Grade Bowl-Back Mandolin - Philadelphia PA, Original Condition / SOLD: AS IS. Please see all photos!!

   













   The Vintage H.A. Weymann & Son Mandolin is a high-quality musical instrument known for its exceptional craftsmanship and beautiful design. Made by Weymann in the United States, this mandolin is a collectible piece for musicians and collectors alike. With its rich history and attention to detail, this vintage mandolin offers a unique and authentic playing experience for folk and world music enthusiasts.

  











   This antique bowl-back mandolin (often referred to as "melon body" or "Neapolitan style") was produced by H.A. Weymann & Son, a historic Philadelphia-based instrument maker established in 1864 and known for high-quality stringed instruments like mandolins, guitars, and banjos. The "Keystone State High Grade" label on the headstock identifies it as part of their premium line, with "Keystone State" nodding to Pennsylvania's nickname. Likely dating to the 1910s-1920s based on the design and markings, this model features a pear-shaped body with a striped wooden back (possibly rosewood or similar Tonewood), an oval sound hole, ebony fretboard with dot inlays, and 8 strings (4 courses) tuned in the traditional GDAE configuration. The headstock has friction tuners with pearl buttons, and the bridge and tailpiece appear original, though it shows signs of play wear including surface scratches, a worn pickguard area, and some finish checking—adding to its authentic vintage character.

  



























    The term "drum bottom mandolin" may be a misnomer or variation of "bowl back," describing the rounded, bowl-shaped back that provides resonance similar to early European lutes. Weymann patented innovations like the mandolute but focused on durable, playable instruments during the mandolin craze of the early 20th century.

   































       In good to very good vintage condition: structurally sound with no major cracks visible, but would benefit from new strings, cleaning, and setup for playability (currently has partial old strings). Ideal for collectors of American folk instruments, vintage mandolins, or as a display piece evoking the ragtime and early jazz eras.

      















       Measures approximately 23 1/4 inches tall (overall length), body length 7 3/4 inches, body width 5 1/4 inches, and weighs 1 lb 3.9 oz. Ships carefully packaged to protect this delicate heirloom.

      

































   Ht-23, 1/4 in

  











   Lg- 7, 3/4 in

  











   Wid- 5, 1/4 in

  











   Wt- 1 lb 3.9 oz

  



















       This is a classic

      











         bowl-back mandolin

        











       (also called a Neapolitan-style or "melon body" mandolin due to its rounded, ribbed bowl-shaped back), not a "drum bottom" in the sense of a banjo-style pot—though the term might be a casual or mistaken reference to the resonant, bowl-like construction that gives it a drum-like projection in some descriptions.

      























       It was made by

      











         H.A. Weymann & Son

        











       (later often listed as H.A. Weymann & Sons), a respected Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer founded in 1864 by German immigrant Henry Arnold Weymann. They produced a wide range of stringed instruments including banjos, guitars, mandolins, and ukuleles, peaking during the early 20th-century mandolin boom. The "Keystone State High Grade" designation (with the elaborate headstock label reading "KEYSTONE STATE GRADE HIGH GRADE H.A. WEYMANN & SON MANUFACTURERS OF THE WEYMANN HIGHEST GRADE PHILA. PA.") marks it as one of their better mid-to-upper-tier models—"Keystone State" referencing Pennsylvania's nickname, and "High Grade" indicating superior craftsmanship for the line.

      



















     These bowl-back mandolins typically date from the late 1890s to the 1920s (many examples from 1900–1920), before flat-back designs became more common in America. Your instrument features:

    

















      Striped multi-piece bowl back (likely rosewood or similar tonewoods for visual and tonal appeal).

     















      Spruce top with an oval sound hole, inlaid rosette, and a replaced or worn pickguard area.

     















      Ebony (or dark) fretboard with simple dot inlays.

     















      Friction tuners with pearl buttons.

     















      Brass tailpiece and adjustable bridge.

     















      Visible wear like scratches, finish checking, cracks in the top or headstock (common for age), and old strings—structurally intact but needing setup (new strings, fretwork, cleaning) for optimal playability.

     



































   DISCLAIMER:

We do our best to provide secured merchandise in packages. Should you receive

your merchandise with any damage from the shipping company, PLEASE:

  







   1)

  







   Keep ALL

packaging

  







   AND

  







   the merchandise,

  







   2)

  







   take

Photos and

  







   3)

  







   Contact Us As Soon As Possible.

  











     We will do our best to help you attain a refund from the

shipping company.

    



















   All

Sales are FINAL and NO Returns.

  



















   We provide photos with the merchandise that you will receive.

Please ask ALL questions before making your purchase. We Always provide

measurements in photos, so PLEASE look for them and if you do not see a

measurement for something, please ask us for it. Some measurements are

APPROXIMATE since the shape of some items are hard to get exact, but we do our

best to provide the closest measurements. Thank you for your business.