guitar
Object
Accession Number
E119Description
George Washburn Parlor Guitar by Lyon and Healy. Adirondack spruce top (soundboard), Brazilian rosewood sides and back, a neck made of either Spanish cedar (from the Caribbean) or Cuban mahogany with the headstock veneered – probably with Brazilian rosewood, and an ebony fingerboard. There is an ebony heal button and wood purfling down the centre of the back. “1897 Style” and “New Model” stamped on interior with a damaged paper warranty label. 137709 stamped at the base of the neck on the interior. Crack on back and loss on the top has been repaired.Narrative
This guitar is a of a type that was commonly termed a "parlor guitar" in the 19th Century. It was made circa 1896-1901 by Lyon and Healy of Chicago, Illinois. It is a “Washburn” model with an Adirondack spruce top (soundboard), Brazilian rosewood sides and back, a neck made of either Spanish cedar (from the Caribbean) or Cuban mahogany with the headstock veneered – probably with Brazilian rosewood, and an ebony fingerboard. There is an ebony heal button and wood purfling down the centre of the back. Overall condition is fair to good, with the back cracked and a repair on the top using a non-matching wood. The ebony bridge has been sloppily altered and installed, and may not be original to the instrument. Standard tuning is EADGBE.This instrument is part of The Castle Society's Education Collection, and can therefore be handled and played under supervision of Castle Society staff members.
