C. F. Martin Style 20 Guitar
C. F. Martin 1860's Size 2 1/2 Style 20 Guitar
Style 20, in Size 2 1/2, all original, with no repairs. The back and sides are French Polished Brazilian Rosewood, the top is red spruce, and the fingerboard is simple ebony, without inlays. Dove tail joined cedar headstock and neck with volute. Fan style braces. Multicolored herringbone marquetry around soundhole and on backstrip. Top and side binding in rosewood with altrnating white lines.
"C. F. Martin, New York" is stamped inside the guitar on the neck block, on the center strip inside the back, and on the back of the headstock.
Warning :This instrument is for serious bidders only! This is not a forgery or a joke. This is a real guitar! So look at the pictures and if you don't have the money to invest in a very, very, very rare guitar then move on.
That being said, the only thing I know about this guitar is that it is beautiful. I have never played a guitar that sounds like this. All I know is that it is a C. F. Martin guitar New York model. Circa 1864. I am not certain about that year but it can only be earlier not later. It has genuine Jerome tuning keys made of Ivory, not fake ivory, but real elephant ivory. It comes with custom case that apparently was built for the guitar because it fits perfectly. As I said before this is not a joke. If you have any more information about this item or need more pictures please email me Thank you
On Jan-31-08 at 01:35:09 PST, seller added the following information:
Look, I've played since i was 11 years old, I was hooked on music ever since my dad set me on a blanket in front of the monitors while his band played when i was 1 or 2. I have seen alot of guitars i've played about every kind there is. I swear to you, in my whole life i have never seen or heard anything like this. It's a treasure, a rare treasure. If you have any questions or any information about this guitar it will be well received and welcomed. Thank You
On Jan-31-08 at 16:39:28 PST, seller added the following information:
I am receiving several emails requesting more photos. You will have to send me your email address because for some reason I can't load any more pics on ebay. Just send me your email add, and tell me specificly what pics you want and I will be more than happy to send them to you. Also, any information you can give me about this guitar would be EXTREMLY helpfull. It was found in a freind of mines grandfather's closet who recently died. He has thankfully given me the task of gathering any information that i can about this instrument and posably selling. Feel free to send me any questions you have and if I can answer them I will, if not, I will do my best to find it. Thank you for your patience.
On Feb-01-08 at 22:01:20 PST, seller added the following information:
The recent information I have received, courtesy of the bidders, watchers and good people in the ebay community, has led me to believe that this is a C.F.Martin 2 1/2-18. I am not certain on the year yet but will give it when I get it. I want to thank the good people who have helped me with their emails. For me this is a fact finding mission. Thanks and good luck.
Style 20: Rosette has Single inner and outer ring
Fan braced, marquetries are red, green white herringnone on
back strip and rosette. Most often seen in size 2.
Style 21: Rosette has 5 ply (bwbwb) inner and outer rings
X-braced, marquetries are B/W Herringbone back strip and rosette.
Most often seen in size 1.
Top and back purfling for these
is the same:
Top: Rosewood binding, wide light/dark, thin light/dark
Back: " " , single light
earlymartin.com
To See Robert's Corwin's Classic Photography of Folk and Roots Musicians, visit:
For Information on Photography for
Exhibition, Publication, CD's, Promotion, Web Pages, Tour Books,
to Purchase Photographic Prints, or
If You Have Questions About An Early Martin Guitar:
e-mail: Robert Corwinentire site copyright ©1998 through 2009 Robert Corwin/Photo-Arts. All rights reserved.