1912 Gibson L-4 archtop acoustic guitar, made in USA; Back a...

Estimate

£2,500 - £3,500

1912 Gibson L-4 archtop acoustic guitar, made in USA; Back and sides: brown finished maple, fine lacquer checking throughout, further minor scratches and marks; Top: black finish, minor checking throughout, minor dings but generally very good for age; Neck: mahogany with deep V profile; Fretboard: ebony, groove wear to first position; Frets: generally good, indent wear to first position; Hardware: good, second pickguard arm removed (retained), replacement bridge, celluloid tailpiece mount replaced with a wooden plate; Case: later Gibson Custom Shop hard case; Overall condition: very good

*This first year example of the Gibson L-4 appears in exceptional condition considering its age; purchased by the vendor from a gentleman in the USA in 2005 who originally discovered the guitar in a furniture auction in Atlantic City in 1996. Whilst attending the auction, this previous owner met the original owner's daughter, who told him the history of the guitar

The original owner had grown up in Pennsylvania and his father was in the print industry. When the owner was in his teens, he began playing the guitar and started playing in a band. The instrument would become his passion and according to the daughter he was a fantastic player. In 1912, Gibson released a brand new type of guitar, the L-4 and her father spent all the money he had to buy this example. His band was building a reputation and began to receive bookings to enable them to go out on the road, however, his father forbid him from going, demanding he stayed at home as an apprentice printer. Bowing to his fathers wishes he did, resulting in him rarely picking up the guitar again. The guitar was tucked away in it's now missing original case, rarely sed for almost 80 years until sold at the auction in 1996.

An email to the vendor from the previous owner stating the history of the guitar is included in the sale