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Vintage 1873 American Fran Schwarzer Concert Zither with Case

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Music Memorabilia Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
Vintage 1873 American Fran Schwarzer Concert Zither with Case
DISCLAIMER: PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD IN “AS IS” CONDITION, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THE ITEMS OFFERED WERE ALL COLLECTED FOR THEIR DISPLAYABILITY, AND MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN WORKING CONDITION. Please call us at (818) 937-9399 or email us at blacksparrowauctions@gmail.com for condition reports or any general inquiry.
This concert Zither is also known as a fretted zither-it has a fingerboard affixed to its soundboard, like that of a guitar but much shorter in length. Five strings pass over this fingerboard, and the performer plays these strings like a guitar, picking them with the right hand and making various different notes by pushing down on the strings with the left hand. The right hand is also used to play the open strings, which provide bass and chord accompaniment. This concert Zither was made sometime around 1873 by a European Zither maker named Franz Schwarzer who had immigrated to the U.S. in 1864. He made only the finest quality instruments and this zither may have cost as much as $1000 at the time- more than the cost of a house. In 1873, he entered three of his Zithers (including this one) into the International Exhibition in Vienna and won the coveted Gold Medal of Progress. Franz Schwarzer is considered one of the greatest instrument makers in history and there is a museum in Missouri which endeavors to preserve his life and legacy. This specific instrument is in museum quality condition and in fact, museums are one of the only places you would likely find this instrument today. Measures 22.25" x 11.5". Case measures 23.5" x 13". From the collection of Ken McMeans. 20% of the proceeds will benefit the Jeremy Wilson Foundation.