Here's an example of the top-of-the-line Style A carved-top acoustic mandolin from Lyon & Healy of Chicago, among the finest carved mandolins ever produced.
     Style A mandolins from this period are usually finished with a golden top and chocolate brown back and sides (or, in rare cases, chocolate brown all over). This is the second one I've seen from this period in tobacco sunburst. If this is a refinish, it's well done. Spruce top; flamed maple back and sides, mahogany neck, extended ebony fretboard with 13.75" scale, and 5-ply body binding. Classic symmetrical 2-point body design, scroll headstock, vulcanized fiber pickguard, and lyre tailpiece. (Both the tailpiece and pickguard are stamped "PAT. APL'D. FOR," suggesting that the instrument was built sometime before the Nov. 12, 1918 patent date for the pickguard or the Apr. 15, 1919 date for the tailpiece.) Pull-out rest is present. The first 2 digits of the serial number are 10; the third digit is obscured by some sort of gunk on the label. We don't know if this is an "A Special" or "A Professional," because that part of the label is likewise obscured. The number 328 is stamped inside the rim. (On early Lyon & Healys the stamp and label numbers belong to separate series; later the company dropped this practice and gave labels and stamps the same numbers.)
     Newly restrung, it has the typical dry yet sweet Lyon & Healy tone prized by players of classical and Italian popular music, and is ideal for use in a mandolin orchestra. It speaks easily in a strong, clear voice. The neck is absolutely straight, and it plays well with comfortable action. Original ebony bridge appears to have had a strip of mahogany added at the base. Good condition overall, with small dings, bumps and scratches. It comes with a period, purple-lined hardshell case in good condition.
     See more photos, call 425/772-0231 or for more information. $3,250 plus shipping. 48-hour approval period.