NMM 12562. Alpine zither (Schlagzither), Bavaria, ca. 1800-1850. 17 strings (3 melody, 14 accompaniment). Body: 465 mm long, 255 mm wide; fretboard: 345 mm long, 35 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 365 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2006.

NMM 3200. Alpine zither (Elegie zither, Altzither) by Johann Halswanter, Munich, ca. 1862. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 610 mm long, 250 mm wide; fretboard: 425 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 510 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 12965. Alpine zither (Salzburger form) by Johann Halswanter, Munich, ca. 1863-1884. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 619 mm long, 205 mm wide at bottom. Ex coll.: John Christian Scherer III, Director, Twin Cities Zither Club, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 4623. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Curt Schulz, London, ca. 1863-1901. 34 strings (5 melody, 29 accompaniment). Body: 562 mm long, 293 mm wide; fretboard: 350 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 416 mm. Ex coll.: Ernest F. Lant, Sevenoaks, Kent, England. Arne B. Larson Estate, 1988.

NMM 2489. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Xaver Thumhart, Munich, ca. 1867. 31 strings (5 melody, 26 accompaniment). Body: 545 mm long, 295 mm wide; fretboard: 318 mm long, 57 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 380 mm. Played by August Reichardt, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, ca. 1915-1924. Gift of Doug Chapman, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

NMM 12089. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Ignaz Lutz, Vienna, ca. 1868-1907. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 510 mm long, 320 mm wide; fretboard: 332 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 394 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 4267. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Georg Tiefenbrunner, Munich, ca. 1870. 34 strings (5 melody, 29 accompaniment). Body: 500 mm long, 315 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 57 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 12092. Alpine zither (Elegie zither, Altzither in two sections) by Max Amberger, Munich, ca. 1870. 38 strings (5 melody, 33 accompaniment). Section one body: 619 mm long, 259 mm wide; fretboard: 430 mm long, 56 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 510. Section two body: 800 mm long, 355 mm wide. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12116. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Georg Tiefenbrunner, Munich, ca. 1870. 36 strings; 5 melody, 31 accompaniment). Body: 510 mm long, 340 mm wide; fretboard: 325 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 385 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12100. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Eduard Heidegger, Linz, Austria, ca. 1870-1900. Serial number 39261. 36 strings (5 melody, 31 accompaniment). Body: 540 mm long, 334 mm wide; fretboard: 360 mm long, 57 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 425 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12102. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Eduard Heidegger, Linz, Austria, ca. 1870-1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 498 mm long, 257 mm wide; fretboard: 329 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 387 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12966. Alpine zither (Arion zither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, Missouri, ca. 1873-1883. Mittenwalder form. No serial number. 30 strings (5 melody, 27 chord). Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 835. Alpine zither (Primzither), Mittenwald, Germany, ca. 1880. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 486 mm long, 305 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 385 mm. Brought to U.S. by Rudolph Eppstein, Sioux City, Iowa, in 1883. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 12087. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Jon Halswanter, Munich, ca. 1880. 34 strings (5 melody, 29 accompaniment). Body: 515 mm long, 334 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 394 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12963. Alpine zither (Salzburger form) attributed to Johann Halswanter, Munich, ca. 1880-1890. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 560 mm long, 222 mm wide at bottom; fretboard: 351 mm long. Labelled: MADE TO ORDER / FOR / PROF. J. SCHWEMBERGER. Ex coll.: John Schwemberger, Minneapolis; John Christian Scherer III, Director, Twin Cities Zither Club, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 4272. Alpine zither (Primzither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1880-1900. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 495 mm long, 247 wide; fretboard: 327 mm long, 52 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 12081. Alpine zither (Primzither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1880-1910. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 495 mm long, 310 mm wide; fretboard: 332 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 392 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006

NMM 12108. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, ca. 1883-1885. Prime Zither Small Model No. 3. No serial number. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 455 mm long; 225 mm wide. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 3889. Alpine zither (concert zither) by M. C. R. Andorff, Nordhausen, Germany, ca. 1884. 34 strings (5 melody, 29 accompaniment). Body: 555 mm long, 300 mm wide; fretboard: 355 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 413 mm. Gift of Esther Hewitt, Bonita Springs, Florida, in memory of her husband, Lloyd L. Hewitt (1903-1983), formerly of Fort Collins, Colorado, 1985.

NMM 12096. Alpine zither (concert zither) distributed by Balmer and Weber, St. Louis, ca. 1884. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 503 mm long, 305 mm wide; fretboard: 336 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 394 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 4981. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Georg Tiefenbrunner, Munich, ca. 1885. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 495 mm long, 312 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 11677. Alpine zither (Arion Zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1885-1920. 38 strings (5 melody, 33 accompaniment). Fretboard: 350 mm long, 60 mm wide; body: 640 mm long, 360 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 410 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12600. Alpine zither (Arion harp zither) by M. C. R. Andorff, Markneukirchen, Germany, ca. 1886. 32 metal strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 700 mm long, 400 mm wide; fretboard: 334 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 385 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12084. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Ludwig Reisinger, Vienna, ca. 1887-1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 520 mm long, 317 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 394 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12882. Alpine zither (Arion harp zither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, 1888. Custom Special model. Serial number 2988. Fabric lettering glued to case lining: OBSEQUIO DE / EPIFANIO ALVAREZ / A SU HIJO / GUILLERMO. / S. PABLO, M. 43 strings (5 melody, 38 accompaniment). Body: 770 mm long, 395 mm wide; fretboard: 425 mm long; 60 mm wide. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 11676. Alpine zither (concert zither) by William Kürten, Brooklyn, ca. 1888. The “Echo” Zither No. 105. 30 strings total (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 480 mm long, 280 mm wide; fretboard: 337 mm long, 64 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 404 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12107. Alpine zither (Elegie, Altzither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, Missouri, 1889. Elegy Zither No. 85. Serial number 3633. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 570 mm long, 220 mm wide. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 408. Alpine zither (Primzither), Austria, ca. 1890. 31 strings (5 melody, 26 accompaniment). Body: 495 mm long, 305 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 385 mm. Gift of Wilbur Joseph Gullion, Rapid City, South Dakota, 1974.

NMM 892. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Heinrich Stadlmair, Bavaria, ca. 1890. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 622 mm long, 215 mm wide. Owned by Agnes Schwinder, New Ulm, Minnesota, 1905-1945. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 2339. Alpine zither (concert zither) distributed by Gebrüder Hug & Co., Switzerland, ca. 1890-1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 545 mm long, 285 mm wide; fretboard: 347 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 413 mm. Brought from Menzingen, Switzerland to U.S. in 1903, by Sister Clotilde Staub (1887-1970), Yankton, South Dakota. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 3839. Alpine zither (Quintzither, Piccolozither), Germany, ca. 1890-1910. 28 strings (4 melody, 24 accompaniment). Body: 490 mm long, 302 mm wide; fretboard: 332 mm long, 40 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 389 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 2234. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Neuner & Hornsteiner, Mittenwald, Germany, ca. 1890-1920. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 502 mm long, 307 mm wide; fretboard: 334 mm long, 54 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 392 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 12970. Alpine zither (Arion Perfecta zither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, ca. 1891-1920. Schwarzer’s Piano Bottom Perfecta Arion Harp. Serial number missing due to fingerboard replacement. 42 strings (5 melody, 24 bass strings, and 13 sub-bass strings). Body: 480 mm long, 370 mm wide; fretboard: 60 mm wide. Ex coll.: John C. Scherer, Director, Twin Cities Zither Club, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12106. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Hartmann Bros. & Reinhard, New York, after 1893. 31 strings (5 melody, 26 accompaniment). Body: 604 mm long, 303 mm wide; fretboard: 357 mm long, 66 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 411 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 4528. Alpine zither (Columbia model #174) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, 1894. Serial number 6031. 36 strings (5 melody, 31 accompaniment). Originally sold to Alf O. Müller, November 12, 1894. Arne B. Larson Estate, 1988.

NMM 12103. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, 1896. Concert Zither Style A Standard Model No. 17. Serial number 6679. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 554 mm long, 280 mm wide; fretboard: 365 mm long, 57 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 410 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 1271. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Franz Schwarzer, Washington, 1900. Special Arion Model No. 64. Serial number 7859. 38 strings (5 melody, 33 accompaniment). Originally sold to A. D. Barnhart, April 23, 1900. Played by Mrs. George P. Sexauer, Brookings, South Dakota, first half 20th century. Gift of Verna S. Lippert, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 1977.

Lit.:  "Research Projects Continue," Shrine to Music Museum, Inc. Newsletter 10, No. 4 (July 1983), p. 4.

NMM 2227. Alpine zither (Primzither), Germany or Austria, ca. 1900. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 493 mm long, 310 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 57 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 2550. Alpine zither (concert zither) by F.O.M.K., Germany, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 567 mm long, 294 mm wide; fretboard: 357 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 418 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 12082. Alpine zither (Elegie zither, Altzither) by Michael Nowy, Vienna, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 595 mm long, 275 mm wide; fretboard: 425 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 510 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12083. Alpine zither (concert zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 554 mm long, 287 mm wide; fretboard: 350 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 413 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12085. Alpine zither (concert zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 550 mm long, 290 mm wide; fretboard: 354 mm long, 56 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 410 mm. Written on inside of back, viewed through soundhole: From Cousin Bessie Huffman, Dayton, Ohio, Oct 16, ‘92 and R. J. Bates, Sept 22, 1900 / Brainerd Koo, 10/5/98. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12086. Alpine zither (Primzither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 31 strings (5 melody, 26 accompaniment). Body: 495 mm long, 317 mm wide; fretboard: 328 mm long, 56 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12088. Alpine zither (Primzither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 30 strings (5 melody, 25 accompaniment). Body: 500 mm long, 315 mm wide; fretboard: 330 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 393 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12090. Alpine zither (Primzither) by Anton Heimeyer, Vienna, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 500 mm long, 300 mm wide; fretboard: 333 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12091. Alpine zither (Arion harp zither) by Max Hieber, Munich, ca. 1900. 38 strings 5 melody, 33 accompaniment). Body: 750 mm long, 395 mm wide; fretboard: 345 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 412 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12098. Alpine zither (concert zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 31 strings (5 melody, 26 accompaniment). Body: 544 mm long, 291 mm wide; fretboard: 349 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 410 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12099. Alpine zither (concert zither) distributed by John Koehler, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 562 mm long, 285 mm wide; fretboard: 348 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 412 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12094. Alpine zither (Halb-Elegiezither), Germany, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 565 mm long, 315 mm wide; fretboard: 355 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 415 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12095. Alpine zither (Arion harp zither) by Washburn, Chicago, ca. 1900. Washburn American Zither. 42 strings (5 melody, 37 accompaniment). Body: 730 mm long, 380 mm wide; fretboard: 367 mm long, 62 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 430 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12115. Alpine zither (concert zither), Germany, ca. 1900. Elgeria model. 34 strings (5 melody, 29 accompaniment). Body: 550 mm long, 285 mm wide; fretboard: 360 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 425 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12101. Alpine zither (Elegie, Altzither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 625 mm long, 270 mm wide; fretboard: 425 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 500 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12104. Alpine zither (concert zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 33 strings (5 melody, 28 accompaniment). Body: 550 mm long, 296 mm wide; fretboard: 354 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 413 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12105. Alpine zither (Primzither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 495 mm long, 255 mm wide; fretboard: 329 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 390 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12097. Alpine zither (concert zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900-1910. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 547 mm long, 298 mm wide; fretboard: 355 mm long, 56 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 413 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 47. Alpine zither (concert zither), Austria or Germany, ca. 1900-1920. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 595 mm long, 315 mm wide; fretboard: 365 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 435 mm. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 4624. Alpine zither (concert zither) by August Schulz, Nürnberg, Germany, after 1902. Serial number 2399. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 555 mm long, 296 mm wide; fretboard: 358 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 422 mm. Arne B. Larson Estate, 1988.

NMM 12967. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Franz Schwarzer workshop, Washington, 1907. No. 23 Concert Zither Style A. Serial number 9384. 35 strings (5 melody, 30 accompaniment). Body: 550 mm long, 300 mm wide; fretboard: 360 mm long, 60 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 415 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

NMM 12881. Alpine zither (Arion harp zither) by Franz Schwarzer workshop, Washington, ca. 1920. Custom Special Arion Harp Zither; Mittenwalder Form. Serial number 10517. 43 strings (5 melody, 38 accompaniment). Ex coll.: Emma Wellisch, St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.

Lit.: Darla Earnest, "Schwarzer's Arion Harp Zither Reflects Golden Era in USA," National Music Museum Newsletter 34, No. 1 (February 2007), pp. 1-2.

NMM 2253. Alpine zither (concert zither), Munich, ca. 1920. 34 strings (5 melody, 29 accompaniment). Body: 545 mm long, 288 mm wide; fretboard: 350 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 412 mm. Brought to South Dakota from Bavaria in 1928 by Albert Christoph. Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979.

NMM 14389. Alpine zither (concert zither) by Eugen Wettengel, Markneukirchen, East Germany, 1948. 32 strings (5 melody, 27 accompaniment). Body: 575 mm long, 295 mm wide; fretboard: 355 mm long, 55 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 410 mm. Gift of Earlene and Jerry Scott, Greenfield, Ohio, 2009.

NMM 12093. Toy Alpine zither manufactured by Caldo, Austria, ca. 1950. Small child's zither. 21 strings (5 melody, 16 accompaniment strings). Body: 397 mm long, 200 mm wide; fretboard: 222 mm long, 50 mm wide; melody string vibrating length: 285 mm. Paul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006.