1932 Stella Oscar Schmidt Decalcomania Black, Very Good, $825.00

'Decalomania' was the term used in Oscar Schmidt catalogs to describe guitars that were fancied-up with inexpensive decals. Additionally, several models sported 'pearlette', or in today's parlance, 'mother of toilette seat'. This example from the 1930's exhibits both degrees of gaudyness. This guitar is, from the catalog description, a "standard size, birchwood body, black satin finish, white pearlette fingerboard with three positions." Originally offered at $66 .. per dozen! The binding and soundhole ring are painted white. The body measures 13 1/2" across the lower bout, and the fingerboard measures 1 13/16" at the nut. Scale length is 24 7/8" (note how the bridge needed to be moved about an inch south for correct intonation, which is typical). Ladder braced. The guitar is pretty much original except for the loss of the pickguard. The neck was reset and multiple braces reglued. The fingerboard was removed, and two carbon fiber rods were installed in the neck for straightness and stability. There appear to be a few cracks in the back, but they wouldn't open for glue, so may be surface or paint only. Don't be alarmed by the line in the heel, it's not a crack. It's the glue joint where two pieces of poplar were joined to make the neck blank. This is called a 'stacked heel' and is original and very solid. This is documented in a photo when the neck was off for a reset (see photo). A few scuffs and dings, but overall a solid and original guitar set up and ready to play..nice Stella birch-bodied bark, and uniquely ornamented.