Antique George Bauer Bowlback Mandolin and 50 similar items

This is a George Bauer Mandolin measuring 24" long in its original case. It has serial #22548 and the Bauer sticker inside. It has some tiny cracks in the face along with a few hardly noticeable scratches and dings but otherwise is in very good condition. Stewart Bauer was formed in 1898 via a partnership between George Bauer, a guitar and mandolin maker operating out of a storefront at 1016 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia from 1890 to 1910, and S.S. Stewart, a Philadelphia banjo maker with a storefront at 223 Church Street, along with Stewart's sons. After the merger, the company operated out of Bauer's storefront. From 1898 to 1910, the company sold instruments under both maker's brand names; largely using Bauer for guitars and mandolins, and Stewart for banjos. Following a bankruptcy in 1901, the company reformed as the Bauer Company, which continued to sell both Bauer guitars and mandolins as well as Stewart banjos. The Bauer brand name was discontinued after George Bauer died (around 1907) and the company was sold to the Keenophone Co. in 1911.