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Post by tractorking on Mar 6, 2019 3:45:09 GMT
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Post by Mark Makin on Mar 6, 2019 14:34:21 GMT
Hello Tractorking Many different types of engraving exist on old Nationals apart from the known or recognized styles 2,3,4 etc.. Quite a few are only known from one instrument and this does tend to give the impression that it was added by an enthusiastic amateur or the owner themselves after leaving the factory. Every so often, when a second instrument in the same style appears it ten ds to give credence to the fact that, at least the engraver was known to the National factory for a least a short spell. In your case, it is even more gratifying because yours is now the third to appear using this distinctive "semi Style 2" design. Your guitar (2142) is very close to another one which just pre-dates yours (2074). Both these instruments were made in the summer of 1930. However, a third example, also very similar in design and obviously by the same "hand" occurs in mid 1934 (#3479). This one is one of the last of the original run of german silver tricones. So I think it's fair to say that the engraver was known to the National company for at least 3 or 4 years. A few different types of sandblasting and engraving are known like this on triplates where only two or three examples exist and it seems possible that National would 'try out' new engravers on a few select instruments.  Could you possibly post a link to some better pictures of the back of your instrument so that I can record it better. I have posted the page from my book that refers to these instruments.(It is obviously now in need of re-editing!!) Attachments:
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Post by tractorking on Mar 6, 2019 15:04:47 GMT
That’s absolutely fascinating Mark. The two on the right in your picture are clearly done by the same person who engraved mine. This one came to me from up in the mountains in east Tennessee where I was told it had spent most of its life. What would this anonymous, long dead, artist think if he or she knew people would be discussing and speculating about their work... in 2019? Few artists are so lucky! Yes, today I’ll get a good clear photo of the back and post the link here, and you can use the photo however you like. What a great Forum!
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 6, 2019 15:25:49 GMT
Hi Tractorking and Mark,
I hope you don't mind, but I went in and edited your posts so the photos appear full size as embedded images, rather than links.
Nice guitar, Tractorking!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by Mark Makin on Mar 6, 2019 15:28:54 GMT
Thanks Michael !!
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Post by tractorking on Mar 6, 2019 16:27:21 GMT
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Post by Andymccann on Mar 6, 2019 16:27:50 GMT
Love threads like this. History being recorded right here
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Post by leeophonic on Mar 6, 2019 20:19:52 GMT
Interesting post I wonder what else the engravers that National used turned there hand to, was engraving a dying artform even then???
Lee
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Post by Mark Makin on Mar 6, 2019 20:27:53 GMT
Thanks Tractorking, that's perfect.
The appearance of this one of course, does make it more likely that there are more of these that might turn up.
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Post by Triolian78 on Mar 7, 2019 19:15:55 GMT
Hi Tractorking,
I own 2074 and it's definitely the "same" engraver
The only difference is that mine has engraving in the heart of the flowers but doesn't have engraving on the petals.. interesting
if I can figure out how to insert pics, I will show you
Fred
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Post by tractorking on Mar 8, 2019 1:05:18 GMT
Cool Fred! I think we helped contribute just a bit to National history!
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Post by Triolian78 on Mar 8, 2019 6:49:12 GMT
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Post by Mark Makin on Mar 8, 2019 10:28:15 GMT
Hi Tracktorking and Fred
If you both want to see the third example (square neck #3479), it is in the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. If you go to their website and scroll through their collections, you will find "musical instruments" Scroll through to "stringed instruments,guitars etc" and it is pictured as instrument 40 out of 85.
Best Mark
By the way Fred, if I remember correctly, wasn't yours originally owned by Fred Lunt in the Taj Mahal band?
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Post by Triolian78 on Mar 8, 2019 14:01:57 GMT
Yes Mark,
You're right .. it came from Hawaii after Fred Lunt 's death
i just know one pic of #3479: the one from Notecannons. i thought it was owned by Collin
Thank you again Mark for everything !
Take care
Fred
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