A Lüdemann banjolin pre-1913

This banjolin was produced by Julius Lüdemann, established in Cologne Kreuzgasse 5-7, probably before 1913 (ill. 1-6). The workshop has been founded in 1876. This violin maker made various string instruments : mandolins, guitars, bass guitars, bass guitars cress shaped, lutes, bass lutes. We show two trademarks for Lüdemann, with or without the complete addresss (ill. 7).

Banolin Lüdemann
– Ill. 1 –

– Ill. 2 –

– Ill. 3 –

– Ill. 4 –

– Ill. 5 –

– Ill. 6. Original bag of the Lüdemann banjolin pre-1913 –

– Ill. 7 –

He published ads in the journal Der Gitarrefreund. Produced “in his own workshop”, these instruments were said “unequalled in excecution and tonal beauty”, and “used by a large number of the greatest virtuosos” (pict. 8-10).

– Ill. 8. Ad. in Der Gitarrefreund 12/1 (Janv.-févr. 1911) –

– Ill. 9. Ad. in Der Gitarrefreund 12/2 (mars-avril 1911) –

– Ill. 10. Ad. in Der Gitarrefreund 12/2 (mars-avril 1911) –

The ads were lacking in 1913, possibly due to the arrival of some Gibson products. A long article on “Die Gibson Mendoline” and an advertising for product appeared in the Gitarrefreund for 1913-1914 (ill. 11-12).

– Ill. 11. Der Gitarrefreund 14/2 (mars-avril 1913) –

– Ill. 13. Der Gitarrefreund 14/2 (mars-avril 1913) –

The illustration 13 shows instruments for beginners. A mandolin “really Italian” was made of rosewood was sold with a cloth carrying case, a metallic stand, a music stand, etc. for 25 marks. The guitar was in maple, with ornate bridge, “strong sound”, leather close case, strings and pitch pipe, for the same money. The shop also proposed what is necessary for the guitarist: the strings “Colonia” and “Diapason”, more expensive, a case in leather with 6 pouches, a “kapodaster” for 0,80 or 1,50 marks.

– Ill. 13. Ad. in Der Gitarrefreund 12/3 (mai-juin 1911) –