 |
|
|
Original Post By:
Pack Rat
|
Date: 12/4/2015 7:21:35 PM |
| Does anyone know approximately when the above ukulele was manufactured? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
karl
|
Date: 12/9/2015 4:17:30 AM |
The best source would be Bob Carlin's book on Regal Musical Instruments 1895-1955 - it has some 50 pages on ukuleles. Alas, I don't have a copy right now.
Three brand had Egyptian themed ukuleles at that time: Regal, 'The Mele' by B&J, and probably JR Stewart. Construction-wise, these three types could have been made at the same place, but their exact chronology is hard to get:
- The actual egyptomania craze was in the 1920s, in the 1930s that was somewhat over.
- The production site was probably the old L&H stringed instruments factory in Chicago, which was sold briefly to JR Stewart in 1928. After that company's bankrupcy in 1929, Tonk Bros. bought the brands and factory, and immediately resold the factory to Regal (which was actually tied to L&H, the original owner!) that operated the premises 1930-1954 and then sold them to Harmony.
- They could have been made elsewhere in Chicago and well before that Great 1928-1930 Chicago Mix-Up: JR Stewart was making ukes before 1928 (perhaps even an Egyptian line), and Regal definitely made ukes before 1930.
Ads could help the dating, as could research of the construction materials and methods, but I'm afraid their are no actual company records. Better buy the book!
|
|
|
|
|
Posted By:
Pack Rat
|
Date: 1/1/2016 1:24:57 PM |
| With thanks to Karl for pointing me to Bob Carlin's excellent and exhaustive book Regal Musical Instruments 1895-1955. It was there that I found the following info for the Egyptian uke on pages 270-271 (edited for simplicity): This uke, concert size, was made in 1930. The construction quality was described as "Low grade", but with "high grade decoration". It was made of birch wood with a hardwood neck. The original wholesale price was $4.00-$4.20. So now you know. Thanks again, Karl.
|
|
|
|
