Gibson Style A-3 Carved Top Mandolin (1918), ser. #50920, original black hard shell case.

Gibson Style A-3 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1918), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 50920, white lacquer top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

This is a lightly played-in example of one of the Gibson Company's most unusual looking and attractive mandolins, the Ivory-topped Style A-3. Gibson made many variations in the top color on their mandolin line in the teens and twenties, at various times offering black, brown, orange and red sunburst on different models. The striking "Antique Ivory" finish on this instrument was unique to the A-3, and only available on this mandolin between 1918 and 1923. Although a few other Gibsons may have been custom ordered to match, this finish was unique to the single model and not revived after it was discontinued in 1923. This is an early example with a serial number dating it to the later part of 1918.

The white-lacquered top is double bound with a wide ivoroid soundhole ring encircled by three-ply wood on either side. The pickguard is grained ivoroid as is the bracket anchor, a very attractive looking material used only on banjo guards besides this lone mandolin model. The back and fingerboard are single bound, the peghead has a particularly nice abalone "THE GIBSON" script logo and inlayed vine pattern. The fingerboard has been very neatly refretted but all else on this mandolin is original. The tuners are the typical period openbacks. Overall this is a fine playing and sounding example of this striking and singular Gibson mandolin, one of the most distinctive looking of their entire line.

Overall length is 25 3/4 in. (65.4 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) width, and 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).

This well over 100 year old instrument remains in nicely original condition, showing some play wear but still a very attractive instrument. There is some scuffing and checking to the finish with dings, scratches and dents overall. The top has pickwear mostly to the area forward of the front edge of the pickguard and there is a deep divot and scratch into the wood under/just off the back edge of the guard. There is some lighter scratching to the back and an area in the center where the varnish has picked up some of the pattern of the case lining, which sometimes happens. The finish is worn through on the back of the neck in several places, most notably on the spine.

The mandolin has been neatly refretted with wire just a bit taller than the original, with the board properly trued; No other repairs are visible. The instrument includes the original hard case, with some wear but fully serviceable. This "Antique Ivory" A-3 is a lovely art Nouveau gem and a very fine player's with a bright and powerful sound, still playing beautifully well past its century mark and ready for another. Very Good + Condition.