The maker of an historic harp is most often identified by the inscription on a metal plate that is fastened somewhere along the neck of the harp. The inscription text is likely to include information such as the makers name, location, patent no. and the individual harp no. The font type, location and individual harp number are used to date the harp.
The following are some examples of harp plates from historic harps in Australia:
James McFall, 22 York Lane, Belfast
J A Stumpf, 18 Upper Charlton Street, Fitzroy Square, London
Frederick Grosjean, No 11 Soho Square, London
Not all harps have a metal makers plate. Sometimes information about the harp maker is written directly onto the base or inside the sound box or even written on a piece of paper that is adhered to the inside of the sound box.
James Egan, Dublin
HISTORICAL HARPS - AUSTRALIA 