BOSTON, Mass. – March 25, 2002 -- Skinner, Inc., one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, and a major force in the sale of fine musical instruments at auction, announced today that it will auction off a rare and very valuable Gibson F5, 1924 Mandolin designed by the famed acoustic engineer, Lloyd Loar. Estimated at $40,000 - $60,000, the mandolin will be offered in Skinner’s auction of Fine Musical Instruments, to be held on Sunday, May 5th at 12:00 noon in Skinner’s Boston gallery.

According to David Bonsey, Skinner’s Director of Musical Instruments, The Gibson F5 Mandolin is one of the most significant American instruments of the 20th century and one has never been sold at auction before. A brilliant and creative musician, Loar was the architect of the modern stringed instrument, developing the Mastermodel series of acoustic instruments and inventing the first solid-body electric viola. The Gibson F5 mandolin is perhaps his finest achievement.

This is an incredible opportunity, for both Skinner and aficionados of fine musical instruments,” notes Bonsey. “A mandolin of this caliber, in this fine a condition, is extremely rare and Skinner is enormously pleased to be able to offer it to our musical instrument buyers.”

Illustrated catalog #2139 is available for $29 ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at Skinner/Bolton (978-779-6241 ext. 240). Prices realized at the auction will be available at www.skinnerinc.com following the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or fax 978-779-5144.

Note to Editors:
Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.

About Skinner:
With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a one of the nation’s leading auction houses. As a full-service auction house, Skinner provides auction and appraisal services for all manner of antiques and fine art, and its appraisal experts are regularly seen on the PBS series, The Antiques Roadshow. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.