Archtop Guitar 1913 - 1923

This archtop guitar was crafted by the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co., a company started in 1902, though the specific date of the guitar is unknown. The cultural resonance of guitars, particularly those made by Gibson, is deeply intertwined with American musical history. The archtop guitar emerged in an era of cultural transformation and rose to prominence during the Jazz Age and the Great Depression. Gibson guitars became instruments of empowerment and expression for marginalized communities, most notably African Americans who shaped blues and jazz music. The guitar embodies a blend of craftsmanship and artistry, a tool for both personal expression and collective identity. Its sound filled dance halls and speakeasies, echoing the dreams and struggles of a generation navigating economic hardship and social change. It is a testament to the transformative power of music to transcend boundaries and connect people.