Otto Henniger Branded Concert Zither
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 4:35 pm
A reader of the web site, Dave R., sent in these photos of an American branded zither, a description and details of its discovery. He writes:
"An older friend/ neighbor lent me an old zither we found while cleaning out her attic. It is in pretty nice shape with binding on the body, a pearl inlayed sound hole rosette, and a carved metal head plate. It is labeled Otto Henniger, Music Dealer, Milwakee Wis, No. 347-J(?). It has 5 fretted strings. and two rows of keys with 13 along the left edge and 14 set in."
Otto Henniger came to the US from Germany in 1886. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he made his living as a musician and dealer of musical instruments. This zither may have been made domestically, but could also be a European import rebranded by Otto for sale in his music store.
"An older friend/ neighbor lent me an old zither we found while cleaning out her attic. It is in pretty nice shape with binding on the body, a pearl inlayed sound hole rosette, and a carved metal head plate. It is labeled Otto Henniger, Music Dealer, Milwakee Wis, No. 347-J(?). It has 5 fretted strings. and two rows of keys with 13 along the left edge and 14 set in."
Otto Henniger came to the US from Germany in 1886. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he made his living as a musician and dealer of musical instruments. This zither may have been made domestically, but could also be a European import rebranded by Otto for sale in his music store.