Martin Style 1 Mandolin 1919

Here’s an absolutely exceptional example of an early 20th-century Martin Style 1 mandolin — built in 1919 and preserved in truly remarkable condition. A piece of both musical and American history, this instrument is not only a joy to behold but also a rare find in such original, untouched shape.

Specs & Build

• Top: Solid spruce
• Back & Sides: Solid B. Rosewood (18 ribs)
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Ebony with original bar frets
• Bridge: Ebony (original)
• Scale length: 13"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Body depth: ~2 3/8"
• Body width (lower bout): ~8"
• Tuners: Original open-geared tuners with ivoroid buttons
• Tailpiece: Original (with non original cover)
• Finish: Original shellac-based varnish, exhibiting lovely patina and only minimal cosmetic wear

The tone is everything you'd want from a lightly built, century-old Martin: dry, woody, resonant — with a lovely bark when pushed and a haunting sweetness when played gently. The craftsmanship is unmistakable, from the delicate purfling to the flawless joinery and crisp detailing.

Provenance & Story

Now here’s the part that makes this mandolin truly special.

This instrument was originally purchased in Pennsylvania during the height of the mandolin craze — that period in early 20th-century America when parlor orchestras and mandolin clubs flourished across the country. It was bought by a family of German immigrants, who — despite their best intentions — never quite learned how to play. They passed it along to their son, who, having no children himself and never having played it either, gave it to a coworker. That coworker eventually passed it on to his son, from whom I acquired it around fifteen years ago.

Incredibly, during all that time, this mandolin spent its life moving quietly from one wardrobe to another — barely touched, never gigged, and never even stored in a proper case. When it came into my hands, it still had stickers on the fingerboard labeling the notes!

Condition

This is maybe one of the cleanest century-old mandolins you'll ever come across:

• No cracks in the top, back, or sides
• No previous repairs — and none needed
• All original parts, down to the tuners and tailpiece (except for the cover)
• Neck is straight, action is comfortable
• Just a few minor scuffs in the original varnish finish — honest age, not abuse

It’s exceedingly rare to find an instrument of this vintage in such well-preserved, unmolested condition. Most of these have had at least a couple of cracks repaired or the bridge swapped out — not this one. It’s as original as they come.

Shipping Note & A Little Miracle

Worth mentioning: when I bought this mandolin from the U.S. about fifteen years ago, it didn’t come with a case — and believe it or not, it was shipped to me just wrapped in bubble wrap inside a plain cardboard box. Somewhere along the way, the box was damaged, and the U.S. Postal Service even had to repair it mid-transit to get it to me.

And yet — the mandolin arrived completely unharmed. Not a scratch, not a shift. A small miracle for a 100-year-old instrument, and maybe a testament to the good karma it’s carried through the years!

That said: rest assured, I’ll be packing it far more securely. It’ll ship double-boxed with quality packing materials — bubble wrap, foam, rigid cardboard — so it will arrive in the exact same pristine condition it’s in now.

A Last Note

Although I’m not a mandolin player myself, I did bring it out a couple of times over the years — once to accompany a choir in concert many years ago, and more recently for a mandolin track on one of my own recordings.

But truly, this instrument deserves more. It has too much character, too much quiet history, to remain silent in a closet.

I'm letting it go now not just because it deserves to be played, but also because I'm preparing for a future move, and trying to be intentional about what I take with me. I hope it finds a good home — maybe even the one it was waiting for all along!