Everyone A Gibsonite

Promotional photo for 1921 Gibson Mandolin Company "Catalog M". Ivers Mandolin Orchestra/Adams Plectrum Society, Adams, Massechusetts.

Members I can identify: Center Middle Row: Joseph Ivers, Orchestra leader, Gibson Mandolin Company Agent,and my Great Grandfather, Center Left Holding a Gibson F-4 Mary Ivers-Bassette, my Great Grandmother, Back Row from left: Leonore Ivers-Carmel, my Great Aunt, George Ivers, my Grandfather, Sitting in front, white dress, Doris Ivers-Hueston, my Great Aunt.

Page 21 Gibson Mandolin Catalog M: See right side second photo from bottom

Page 21 Gibson Mandolin Catalog M: See right side second photo from bottom
I recently discovered that this photo of my Great grandfather's Mandolin Orchestra appears on page 21 of the Gibson "M" catalog, published in 1921, confirming my theory that he (Joseph L. Ivers) was a Gibson "teacher-agent" or dealer, and that this photo was part of the "Everyone a Gibsonite" marketing campaign. Some of these instruments are still owned and played by Ivers family members. For example, my father Robert Ivers still plays the 1914 F4 in the center played by my Great Grandmother Mary Ivers in this photo. He also owns a 1921 H2 Mandola, no doubt pictured brand spanking new somewhere in this photo. I would love to try to contact other family members to see where some of these other instruments ended up.

Water Color "Grandfather's Mandolin" by Robert Ivers of Gibson F-4 #24532

Water Color "Grandfather's Mandolin" by Robert Ivers of Gibson F-4 #24532
Water Color Of My Great Grand Father's F4 painted by my Father, Robert Ivers. Look !!!!!!! Notice unintended ghost image of my Great Grandfather Joseph Ivers in upper left !

Sunday, May 20, 2012

H2 Mandola #66429 Still Looks and Sounds Beautiful.

I visited my parents recently, and my father got out one of the Ivers family heirloom's: The Gibson H2 Mandola # 66429. It dates from probably 1921, and is most likely pictured in the 1921 Ivers Mandolin Orchestra Gibson promotional photo at the top of this Blog. There's more about this instrument below, in the side bar of the Blog.  My dad played it for while, sight reading from some American Songbook material, and it really sounded great. Lots of sustain, and quite a bit different than what I'm used to hearing from a mandolin. I also payed it on and off for the few days I was there visiting. It's a real workout, when compared to playing a smaller neck, narrower space between frets, and lighter gauge strings of a mandolin. It takes some getting used to, but what a great  tone, and nice change of pace from a mandolin.  Really nice deep woody tone.

Here's my dad playing it. 

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