1840 Schatz Guitar Fair, Original Hard

Henry Schatz was an early partner of CF Martin in New York in the 1830s, and later set out on his own, eventually moving to Boston in the 1840s. This example is the equivalent of a size-2 Martin, extremely popular as a parlor guitar in the 19th-century. It has H.A SCHATZ BOSTON impressed into the center strip inside the back, clearly visible through the soundhole, and also on the back of the peghead, which has rosewood veneers both front and back. The back and sides of the guitar are of beautiful, straight-grained Brazilian rosewood, of a quality not seen since the last century. There is a center strip in the back, of wood marquetry, with purfling lines and rosewood binding around the edge of the back. The top is also bound in rosewood, with a double-herringbone pattern of colored marquetry and matching marquetry rosette around the soundhole. The pyramid-style bridge is original; bolts covered by pearl inlays were added at a later date. The top bracing pattern is unusual, a modified fan style; I’ve never seen anything quite like it anywhere else. There are top cracks showing evidence of older repairs, with reinforcements added underneath, and unrepaired back cracks. The top finish has been compromised by an older addition of a pickguard, long since removed. The original varnish finish overall on the instrument is essentially intact. The neck is of the style of the day with separate dovetailed peghead and conical heel; it is quite unusual in that it has a natural finish showing the beautiful grain of its Spanish cedar construction; the vast majority of necks like this were painted black. The tuning machines are original, with engraved baseplates, and three of the original genuine ivory buttons are extant. The case is the guitar's original wooden one, with most of its original hardware, and has been re-lined. This Schatz guitar is a perfect candidate for restoration. I have had it in my collection for over forty years, untouched, and am now making it available at an extremely attractive price so that it can be brought back as a playing instrument, from a time when life in America moved at a much more comfortable pace. After nearly 200 years, this is the kind of guitar rarely seen on the market today. Offered as is at $1895 w/ohsc