Object Details
maker
Zogbaum & Fairchild
Description
This guitar was made by Zogbaum & Fairchild of New York, New York around 1865-1875. This is a six course (6x1) guitar with a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and a mahogany neck with machine head. It bears a medallion:
Wm. B. TILTONS
IMPROVEMENT,
NEW YORK
Patented MARCH 4, 1856
ZOGBAUM & FAIRCHILD
NEW YORK.
William Tilton, inventor and musical instrument maker, began manufacturing instruments in New York in 1853. Tilton made new guitars and retrofitted other guitars with his improvements including his two guitar patents (U.S. Patent #10380, January 3, 1854, and U.S. Patent #14378, March 4, 1856). Around 1865, Zogbaum & Fairchild acquired the rights to manufacture guitars using Tilton’s improvements.
Ferdinand Zogbaum and Rufus Fairchild established their manufacturing and importing company in Charleston, South Carolina in 1845. By 1853, Zogbaum & Fairchild had relocated to No. 10 Maiden Lane in New York City.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Doris L. Low
Date made
1865-1875
ID Number
MI.73.28
accession number
302691
catalog number
73.28
Object Name
guitar
Measurements
overall: 36 1/4 in x 11 3/4 in x 4 in; 92.075 cm x 29.845 cm x 10.16 cm
place made
United States: New York, New York City
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Guitars
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_605751