Bidspirit auction | Oscar Schmidt 1915 Panama Harp

Oscar Schmidt 1915 Panama Harp Zither - A 19-string fretless guitar zither, also referred to as a mandolin harp, manufactured in the United States. The instrument features a dark reddish-brown stained wood soundboard and body with a rounded extension on the lower right side. The soundboard is decorated with several multi-colored decals. An oval upper decal illustrates a steamship at sea flanked by two eagles and American flags, featuring a banner reading SPECIAL and text below stating PANAMA MODEL 1915. A lower horizontal decal consists of a yellow musical staff guide that identifies four chord groups (F B G G, F C A F, D B G G, E C G C) and a 15-note chromatic melody scale numbered 1 through 15. The central soundhole is surrounded by a red, green, and yellow circular geometric decal. Inside the soundhole, a black paper label is printed with OSCAR SCHMIDT Manufacturer of Chickering Harp Patented May 29, 1894 D. G. M. P. No. 68,664 87-101 Ferry St, Jersey City, N.J. The instrument is constructed with metal tuning pins and steel strings. Accompanying the harp is a printed paper music catalog titled Catalogue of Music for the Menzenhauer Guitar Zither and American Mandolin Harp, bearing the Oscar Schmidt, Inc. address in Jersey City. The catalog includes illustrated advertisements for accessories such as tuning keys, zither picks, and wooden cases.