1893 Vintage Howard W Foote Neopolitan Bowlback Mandolin Lyon & Healy ? 34 ribs?

Description

1893 HOWARD W FOOTE 34 RIB ROSEWOOD  BOWL BACK MANDOLIN. EXPOSITION GEM CHICAGO
MADE IN USA, NICE USED CONDITION IN NEED OF MINOR REPAIRS. Their is a Gold label inside of the mandolin
sound hole.
This is a very Beautiful instrument in  good condition  for a very old instrument, built in the USA I would guess in the late 1800's, THE EXPOSITION in Chicago was in 1893 and I am guessing it was built around that time.  I think Howard W. Foote  was a distributor of instruments so I doubt he actually built this fine mandolin, it has features like a Lyon & healy so I am thinking they may have actually been the builder.   It is in pretty good condition overall.  It will need some service to be a playable instrument. This has a ebony fret board and headstock overlay, Brazilian rosewood ribs with narrow Maple strips between each rib, mahogany neck and a nice  spruce top. Does not have a case.  The  back has one/or 2 ribs together that need to be reglued and the top needs to be glued/repaired in the middle of the top. These are repairs I would sometimes do myself on lesser quality instruments but on this one I will leave those repairs to the new owner.  I can find no other cracks or separations but that is my opinion. You or your luthier might see other things that you feel need attention. You are buying this as is and any repairs will be at your expense.  I do know that  mandolins with this quality are rare and that is the reason for my high asking price feel free to make a reasonable offer.
I looked it over and I think each rosewood rib is separate but it is possible that their  are maple/ light narrow strips inlayed in a wider strip and that it is actually  17 ribs instead of 34 ribs either way it is a very fine well crafted instrument. I think the tuner buttons are original but I cannot say if they are Ivory or Bone or something else.  The buttons do seem to be solid and the tuners all turn fairly easy. They could likely need some lube of some kind, I will leave that to the new owners of this fine instrument.
It has  No serial number that I have found.
Please take a good look at the pictures they give a good look at the condition of this mandolin.
It will be well packed. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Don't wait too long or it will be gone!
SHIPPING:
Shipping  and packaging will be 35.55 USPS standard or Fed Ex  sellers choice including insurance to the lower 48 states, more for Alaska and Hawaii    If you are and international bidder contact me before bidding. Please keep in mind that at least  11% of shipping price goes to ebay/paypal now for final value fee's.      I do my best to ship within a day or 2 of payment even though I have selected and extended shipping time.    I PREFER TO SHIP TO A CONFIRMED ADDRESS
POLICIES:
This is a used vintage instrument in well preserved shape but it is being sold as is, Because it will need repairs to be playable.  No returns, No Refunds. Due to the collectible nature of this instrument all sales are final.  Take a look at the pictures if you have questions just ask.  Please contact me within 48hrs. after you receive item if their is a problem. This is a paypal  auction if this doesn't work contact me before you bid for other payment options .If you have neg. or 0 feedback contact me before you bid or you may be blocked. If you are the winning bidder please make payment within 2 days I try to ship within 3 days of the payment clearing.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, ASK BEFORE YOU BID,AND PLEASE ASKS YOUR QUESTIONS EARLY IN AUCTION!!!
THANKS FOR VISITING MY AUCTION AND FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER LISTING AND CONSIDER MAKING ME A FAVORITE I WILL BE SELLING A FEW RARE AND VERY RARE INSTRUMENTS IN THE COMING MONTHS.