Wonderful old Martin with some intriguing history...

The Guitar:

1878-84  Martin 2 ½ Style 17 in nice condition with a balanced, woody tone. 

Back and sides are Brazilian Rosewood, the top is Adirondack spruce.

Neck is stained black over what appears to be maple.

Excellent for classical style or folk fingerpicking.

What was done:

Neck reset. 

Replaced three frets with stock from TJ Thompson.

Replaced bone saddle correctly with the overhanging tips on each end. 

Reset the original bridge. 

Replaced the bass missing side of the tuners with an era appropriate set that matched the post spacing and screw locations of the originals.

Cleaned up an old headstock repair. 

Headstock repair is totally stable. 

Strung with D’Addario light tension nylons.

The Original Coffin Case: 

Wood and lining repaired, original brass appointments fully functioning 

Original label 

             C.F. MARTIN & CO

MANUFACTURERS OF GUITARS, etc.

  Size of G.                  No. of Qual.

      2 ½                              17

The paper label inside:
Balmer and Weber’s Music House 311 N. 5th St., St. Louis, Mo.

The store of purchase was only at the 311 address from 1878 to 1884. So the guitar has to be from that era.

See photo of store

Charles Balmer (1817-1892). 

Charles was the most prolific as well as one of the greatest of American composers and writers. After arriving in St. Louis from Germany, he opened a music store with his brother-in-law. He arranged during his lifetime 6,000 pieces. He also served as the organist at Christ Church in St. Louis for 46 years and was the President of the Philharmonic Society. He acted as musical director at the funeral of President Lincoln. The band consisted of 100 pieces and a chorus of 300 voices. Charles was selected for this honor from more than 100 competitors.

Used the nom de plume "Henry Werner".

His wife:

Theresa Weber Balmer

BIRTH 11 May 1820

Germany

DEATH 1 Nov 1904 (aged 84)

BURIAL Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri

See headstone photo from Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum

The signature of John Henry Foster inscribed in the top:

John H. Foster, one of the prominent merchants of Cottonwood, is a native of the Golden West, born ni Shasta, August 30, 1856. His father, Jacob Foster, came to California in 1849, and in two years returned East after his family, and again came to this State in 1852. He was a native of Germany, and was married in St. Louis, Missouri, to Miss Adaline Hertling, also a native of Germany.

They had seven children.

Mr. Foster, the subject of this sketch, received his education in Cottonwood, and also took a full business course at Heald's Business College at San Francisco.

He learned telegraphy, and was engaged in railroading eighteen years. In 1884 the firm of Becker & Foster was organized, they having purchased the stock and good-will of William Knowlton, and they now have a large double store filled with a desirable stock of general merchandise. They enjoy a satisfactory trade, which extends to a distance of from thirty-five to forty miles. Mr. Foster has also invested in village property, and has a very pleasant home where he now resides. He is a business man of energy and ability. His father, Jacob Foster, was the founder of the town of Cottonwood, and was the owner of the ranch on which the town was built; he also built the first hotel. His son, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Cottonwood, and has been the railroad agent in the town for eighteen years, and it is not to be wondered at that he takes just pride

in its growth. He is one of those ready business men who takes hold on

whatever has to be done, in connection with his large and diversified business.

Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Miss Philipina Rieser, a native daughter of the Golden West, born ni Red Bluff. This union has been blessed with three children, all born in Cottonwood, namely: Ellis J., Joseph A. and Carrie. 

Courtesy; Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891