Hijos de Gonzalez Hijos de Francisco Gonzalez 1895 - French Polish

650 mm Scale, 52 mm Nut. Fine to Medium grain Domed Spruce Soundboard and Maple back and sides, Rosewood Fret board, French polish. Original Ebony Pegs, New Bone Saddle, Original Bone Nut and Brass Frets. Brazilian Rosewood Bridge and Peghead Overlay.

Seven finely sanded Fan Braces pointed toward the 14th fret. The highest type of lutherie: separate Spruce pieces attaching the soundboard and Cedar pieces attaching the back to the sides.

Lightweight at 39.75 Ozs. 1,113 grams or 2 lbs. 7.75 ozs.

There are 5 repaired cracks on the back, it has a great sound, and obvious rarity, most models by this shop are post 1900. Look at the bottom of the label carefully, you will see: Año de 18__, post 1900 do not have this line at all. There are no cracks on the top nor the sides.

I believe that the brown color tint was added to the French Polish after market.

Made in Madrid by Enrique Romans Papell (born circa 1850-1931-1940), who probably began to work for Francisco Gonzalez by 1865; being the Son in Law of Francisco Gonzalez (1820-1879), who taught Jose Ramirez his lutherie skills beginning about 1870, who then in turn taught his younger brother Manuel Ramirez, who learned much faster.

Recent research done in October of 2022, has revealed some of the earlier musical activities of Enrique Romans Papell:

Translation of the concert listing text: In the "Crónica de la música" (Madrid) September 9, 1880, n.º 103, páge 6 are the 2 paragraph concert details.

"The notable concert guitarists, Enrique Romans Papell (1850-) and Jose Martinez Toboso (who used a  SEGUNDA EPOCA NO. 7 1876 ANTONIO DE TORRES 11 STRING GUITAR) have arrived in the city of Madrid, having resided for some time in Oran, Spain. The came with the object of giving some concerts in Madrid, they have begun to be known to give intimate concerts in the garden of the daily "El Liberal".

Jose Martinez Toboso and Enrique Romans Papell - says our esteemed colleague -that they have studied in one way or another, and know very well, that they have completed the perfection, that the two guitars in their hands have the quality of an orchestra. In this manner they have vanquished the difficulties of expression, to be treating that certain class of music, which the guitar suffers, and they have gotten to perform the most applauded concert pieces with such mastery. Among them last night we applauded with such enthusiasm the "Minueto" by Boccerhini, "La Primera Lagrima" by Marques, and the "Gavota" by Arditi."

Enrique Romans Papell, became the Son in Law of famous guitar maker Francisco Gonzalez in 1881, and went on to run the guitar workshop known as Hijos de Gonzalez. According to Jose Romanillos on page 354 of "The Vihuela and The Spanish Guitar" published in 2002, before they came to Madrid, Jose Martinez Toboso and Enrique Romans Papell, they had played at a fiesta in Almeria, (at a time when Antonio de Torres lived and worked there.)

In the daily "La Iberia" (Madrid. 1868), October 9, 1880, page 3, is the listing of the two sets performed by Jose Martinez Toboso and Enrique Romans Papell, in the Liceo Cervantes. This was also reported by "El Liberal" (Madrid. 1879). 9/10/1880 and the "La Unión" (Madrid. 1878). 9/10/1880.

"1st set

Sinfonia de Joana de Arco, Verdi.

Colombe (entreacto), Gounod.

Primera lagrima, Marques.

Mazurca, Penelle.

2nd set

Tema aleman con variaciones, Neuland.

Serenata de la fantasia morisca, Chapi.

Wales, Wautelfeld.

Pasacalle, Jarrus."