National Royal Aire

[resotonic]

Anyone know anything about this model? I can just imagine it in the hands of Howlin Wolf...

[Mark Makin]

Hi Resotonic
I haven't seen that logo on this particular guitar (it is, in fact, a 1952 Model 1122 National Cosmopolitan) but the brand has cropped up a few times in the last few years. It is what's referred to as a "Trade House" guitar. Manufactured by National Valco in Chicago as a request by a relatively obscure music store or school in small numbers. Valco would produce guitars for anybody who required 'branded' instruments. 'Tonemaster' guitars, for instance, were produced for Norman English Music of Lansing, Michigan under the company name of "English Electronics". There were many other small companies like this.

I have added a page of my book that includes a 're-branded' National flat top as a Royal Aire. Because of the model details, we can date it to 1948. As your Cosmopolitan has the black and cream vinyl pickup, that will date it to 1952 so it would seem that whoever 'Royal Aire' were they had a relationship with the National/Dobro/Supro company for at least 5 years or so.

incidentally, the blank cutout of the logo plate is the same metal blank that is usually overprinted with the Black/blue/white National amplifier plates of the early 50s. Also compare it with the logo plate on the model 1191 on the same page of the book.So it was definitely conceived and made inside the national company

Best Mark

[resotonic]

Many thanks, Mark. It sold in less than 24hrs at The 12th Fret...