SHERIDAN DOWNEYS 1936 A-00 GIBSON MANDOLIN S# 423B Start Price USD 400,000.00 Current Price USD 400,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, August 06, 2008 End Time Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Location Grass Valley, California See more about 'SHERIDAN DOWNEYS 1936 A-00 GIBSON MANDOLIN S# 423B' Description THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE GIBSON MANDOLIN, SERIAL #423B, WITH CASE. USED, AND IN GREAT CONDITION. This mandolin was purchased by United States Senator Sheridan Downey. "This was Sheridan's pride and joy". The mandolin was carried around the world, on African safari's, and was an instrumental piece of American history. Sheridan Downey made the cover of TIME magazine in 1938, being the laymen for the "Ham and Eggs" campaign, which later became the nations Social Security. "At Harvard, where he took a law degree, he was pistol champion as well as a mandolin player. Mandolins and pistols would be a good accompaniment for the speeches in which he seeks to be a reasonable Progressive at the same time he is being a firm landholder. His title to "Progressive" dates from Bull Moose days (1912) which makes him, in the eyes of today's Liberal, a rank Tory." "Mandolins & Pistols. The ebb tide against which Mr. Downey now fights is led by another lawyer and reader of economics, a man whose father sold the University of California its history library and who was known in his younger days as a Progressive: Philip Bancroft, a harmless-looking but sharp-spoken gentleman-farmer from in back of Mount Diablo near Oakland." - TIME magazine Oct 24, 1938 Sheridan Downey, a Democrat, was a senator from California, seving from 1938 until 1951. His father, Stephen Wheeler Downey, was a Delegate from the Territory of Wyoming. He was also elected as a Republican to the 46th Congress. Some of the family’s history is published in ‘Sarah’s Gold’ A Woman Pioneer of Vision by Barbara Rockwell(2000). The retired Senator passed away in October, 1961 at the age of 77. Throughout his long career, Senator Downey remained a power in national politics. Ill health forced his resignation from the Senate in 1950, and he was replaced by Richard M. Nixon of San Clemente. Nixon, a long time friend, became the 37th President of the United States. The mandolin was purchased in 1999 by Eric Stroeve for $649,000 at an Estate auction. The mandolin was in great shape, but had been left tuned for many years. The original tuners were bent, the pick guard was missing(did Sheridan prefer to play that way?). Eric installed some new Grover tuners, and a new bridge with a Martin Thinline electric pickup. The neck is straight, perfect tone. Some wear on the mandolin, but overall a fine playing instrument. "One of the finest mandolins you will ever hear, and the pickup is hot!" - Eric Stroeve. This mandolin toured the United States in 2005, and 2006; and can be heard on 'Reveille' and 'Lay Me Down' by Flying Dutchman; available on Apple iTunes. This mandolin is a piece of United States history, and has been played by less that 6 people. Reserve price for this instrument set at $400,000 US. Happy Bidding, and Good luck! Place a Bid!