Knutsen/Anderson Harp Guitar    

Assuming you've first read all about Otto Anderson, and specifically his specimen HGP16, this one is similarly remarkable!
With the second one of these "continuous-arm" harp guitars now known, I am even more curious as to who came up with this design. 
The two instruments are virtually identical, with only slight differences in the fingerboard inlay to tell them apart (and to confirm that the one in the String Quartet photo appears to be HGP16). The wood on this one looks like that same strange form of walnut (the consensus from various luthiers). Likely Otto built these at the same time, from the same log. 
As this one is in the possession of one of Otto's relatives, we naturally assume it is one of the family guitars mentioned in Jeanette's notes. It would thus appear that Otto made this one for his family, but made the other for Knutsen - subsequently sold or given to the player in the Quartet photograph (as implied by the note on the back of the photograph). 
With two instruments built, the possible scenarios also double. Did Knutsen (or the Quartet player) suggest this variation and commission it from Otto as an experiment - with Otto building a duplicate for himself? Or did Otto create it for his family as his own unique variation, with Knutsen and/or the Quartet player asking for a second?
In other words, who dreamt this one up? Candidates are Knutsen, the Quartet player, and Otto himself.
Whoever designed it, it may be that Knutsen decided not to make (or request) any additional specimens due to that problematic arm that makes playing up the neck very difficult.
Note that there appears to be four holes near the bass side of the bridge on this one. Could someone have been experimenting with added sub-basses?

hgp25.jpg (37914 bytes) hgp25b.jpg (36825 bytes)

(images copyright anonymous owner)

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number

HGP25

                 Category

Port Townsend Harp Guitars

                 Body Style

"continuous-arm"

                 Current or last known owner

anonymous

                 Year (approx)

1895-1898

                 Label

unknown

                 Courses / Strings

6 strings

                 Frets

straight

                 Scale length unknown
                 Neck Joint unknown

Woods

Top

walnut?

Back & Sides

unknown

Neck

unknown

Fingerboard

unknown

Bridge

unknown

Headstock veneer unknown

Binding, trim

Top

unknown

Back

unknown

Fingerboard

unknown

Headstock(s)

unknown

Soundhole unknown

                 Inlay

fancy pearl fret markers

                 Pickguard

none

                 Comments

 

 

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