Lot 203: House of David Mandolin, Signed G. A. Whiffen

House of David (Benton Harbor, Michigan) 10-string mandolin consisting of mixed woods including maple, with an inlaid border to the front of the body and around the center opening. Interior inscribed “Made by G. A. Whiffen, Benton Harbor, Mich. 1929.” 27 1/4″ H x 10 3/4″ W. Note: George A. Whiffen was a member of the religious commune House of David, which was founded in 1903 in Benton Harbor, Michigan and flourished throughout the 1910s and into the 1920s. At its peak, the community had almost 10,000 members and numerous successful business ventures including an orchard, cannery, carpenter shop, coach factory, tailor shop, and steam laundry. They also had a professional baseball team and numerous musical bands that performed in the United States.

CONDITION: Fair condition consistent with use wear. Losses to inlay along the lower front edge, losses to strings, and wear to the back and lower end. some vertical wood shrinkage to front of body.