This is a very rare guitar made by Martin for Wanamaker’s Department Store, which had branches in Philadelphia and New York. The Wanamaker store in Philadelphia started buying instruments from Martin in 1904. From 1907 to 1910 some guitars were also purchased for the New York branch. Wanamaker continued to buy Martin guitars, mandolins and […]
Serial number 75042 was stamped on May 10, 1940 and cleared final inspection on September 6 that year. The tuners are Grover G-111 machines with un-seamed butterbean buttons. The guitar comes with what appears to be a style C case. Style 28 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Adirondack spruce Purfling: Herringbone Binding: Ivoroid […]
The Moravian Historical Society has quite an interesting old Martin guitar in its collection. From the dimensions shown below some interesting observations can be made. Width of lower bout 11.00” (279mm) Width of upper bout 8.00” (203mm) Length of body 16.50” (419mm) Total length: 34″ (864mm) Depth of body at heel 3.50” (89mm) Depth of […]
Serial number 64676 was stamped on October 21, 1936 and cleared final inspection on December 31 that year. The tuners are pointed plate G-98 machines with rounded metal buttons. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: Black celluloid Backstripe: None Other period features: Advanced X-bracing (scalloped) Ebony fingerboard […]
Serial number 64556 was stamped on October 8, 1936 and cleared final inspection on December 11 that year. The tuners are Grover G-98 pointed plate machines with rounded metal button. This is one of those late 1936 Martin guitars with a darker than usual pick guard (please consider the photos were taken in strong sunlight). […]
This guitar is a very early and rare size “0” C. F. Martin guitar, probably the second 0 size guitar made. A total of seventy 0 size guitars, in all styles, were made between 1854 and 1864, with only nine being 0-22 or 0-24 guitars. The first two size 0 guitars were a 0-24 and […]
Serial number 60245 was stamped on June 26, 1935 and cleared final inspection on August 27 that year. It was shipped to Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. in New York on October 22, 1935. The tuners are Grover G-97 machines with unseamed butterbean buttons. Style 42 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: […]
Serial number 12915 was stamped during October/November 1917 and was shipped to William Lewis & Son in Chicago on December 26, 1917. Although the tuners are reported as newer, they do appear to be period-correct Dinsmore & Jager #26 machines. The ebony pyramid bridge is a replacement. Style 28 features: Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood […]
Serial number 69345 was stamped on February 9, 1938 and cleared final inspection on July 7 that year. The guitar and case have decals for Wittich’s Music Shop. The Wittich’s branch in Reading PA were Martin dealers from 1929 to 1962 and this guitar was ordered by them on April 28, 1939. The tuners are […]
Serial number 44750 was stamped on November 13, 1930 and cleared final inspection on December 11 that year. The current tuners are modern replacements but with the original white celluloid buttons. The original tuners would have been Grover #90 banjo pegs. Style 18 features: Back and sides: Mahogany Top: Red spruce (Adirondack) Purfling: Lines Binding: […]