2002 Taylor Liberty Tree (LTG) Tulip Poplar > Guitars Acoustic

Description

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2002 Taylor LTG "The Liberty Tree" Ltd Edition Guitar

“Possibly the most significant American musical instrument ever made representing the birth of our nation.”

One of 400 guitars made from the last of the 13 original "Liberty Trees" - this is #20.

Each of the 13 colonies had a "Liberty Tree" (different species) under which colonists gathered to plan their rebellion against the British. Many of these trees were destroyed as the British occupied various cities during the Revolutionary War. This one was in Annapolis, Maryland, and was taken down in 1999 due to damage from Hurricane Floyd. It was believed to be 400 years old. Taylor Guitars purchased this tree and used it to make 400 grand concert, 400 baby, and 50 T-4 guitars.

This guitar is #20 of 400 GC models built.

The back & sides then are this rare, Beautifully figured, Tulip Poplar wood from the Liberty Tree in Annapolis, MD.

Hand picked Sitka Spruce top with an antique stain

The guitar has pre and post Revolutionary War flag inlays- one on the headstock and the other forms part of the patriotic rosette

Also, a laser-cut Decoration of Independence scroll decorates the Ebony fretboard

13 stars for the original colonies, partially circle the sound hole

Ebony bridge with Ebony pins/pearl dots

Abalone top trim

Gold Grover tuning machines with Ebony buttons

Special interior label signed by Bob Taylor

MINT condition - if you want one of these guitars - This is The ONE!

Also included is some of the original Taylor literature (CD) about this rare model.

We have the COA which is on unique parchment paper, and a magazine featuring the Liberty Tree Guitars.

OHSC included

Heck, we even have the original strings still inside the case. The guitar is in virtually unplayed condition.

The full story:

The Last Liberty Tree stood on the campus of St. John’s College in Annapolis until 1999 when it was so severely damaged by Hurricane Floyd that four arborists who were called for consultation declared it couldn’t be saved. It was “not just any tree,” mourned one writer who attended the solemn ceremony before the tree was cut down.

The ceremony was attended by hundreds who were treated to speeches by the governor of Maryland and other dignitaries. They heard a St. John’s professor sing the “Star Spangled Banner,” which was written by a former St. John’s student, Francis Scott Key, nearly 200 years before. A bell tolled 13 times for the 13 original colonies.

Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars knew the significance of this tree along with the rest of the nation as it made national news when it was cut down, and through some various means he was able to purchase a major part of the trunk of the tree. Taylor felt he had enough wood to make 400 of the spectacular Liberty Tree acoustic guitars.

This tree witnessed the founding of our country, the beginning of the American revolution.

The nation’s first Liberty Tree was a stately elm, the largest of a group that stood in Boston on the corner of what is now Essex and Washington streets. The tree sheltered countless rallies, meetings and celebrations held by the Sons of Liberty. It was the tree where the colonists gathered to protest of the Stamp Act of 1765, decrying the British imposed “taxation without representation.” The rampage that ensued came to be known as the Stamp Act Riots when Bostonians trashed property, circulated petitions against the British and tarred and feathered anyone they thought loyal to the British throne.

The last act of violence by British soldiers prior to their evacuation of Boston was the chopping down of the Boston Liberty Tree. Each colony grew to have its own Liberty Tree or Pole, sites of many rallies by American revolutionaries. Most were destroyed by the British and the others were killed by disease or storms, but the Maryland Liberty Tree somehow survived, not only storms, but a gunpowder explosion inside its trunk, attempts to burn it down, and lightning strikes. It was estimated to be about 400 years old at its death in 1999.

Colonists in Annapolis met under the Liberty Tree to foment their own version of the Boston Tea Party. Upon learning that Andrew Stewart, owner of the ship Peggy Stewart, had sailed into Annapolis harbor with the ship full of more than 2,300 pounds of tea, the angry mob marched from the Liberty Tree to his house, giving him an ultimatum: burn the ship and the tea or be hanged. Stewart set the ship on fire by his own hand.

Only the sparkle of the abalone shell trim around the sinuous outline of the Liberty Tree Guitar recalls that fiery episode.