The Royal” is the only writing in a turn of the century bowlback mandolin. Are you familiar with it?
Frederick O. Gutman, a successful publisher and performer, began guitar and mandolin manufacture in 1898 using the “FOG” brand name. Circa 1900 he formed the Royal Music Co of Cleveland, OH which made and sold Royal and Wonder Royal Mandolins, Banjos & Guitars. These were meant to be very inexpensive; the mandolins sold for 80¢ each or $9.50 a dozen. The banjos, which had wooden tops, cost 85¢ and the guitars were 90¢.
