Summary
1902 manufacture date (traditional estimates)
1904 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson
Harp Guitar, Style U
Serial 2502
Factory order number unknown
Description
The instrument was originally purchased by one Mr. Phillips, conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, where, in April, 1906, it suffered damage caused by the Great Earthquake. It was subsequently sold to the current owner's grandmother (Muriel Davis), probably around 1910 when she married and moved to San Diego. The guitar remained there until about 1970 when the family relocated to Ketchikan, Alaska - where it was stored in an attic closet until very recently when the owner happened to mention it to Chris Wilhelm, her daughter's guitar teacher and supporter of Harpguitars.net.
At the request of the current owner, we hereby refer to this important specimen as the "Muriel Davis Gibson."
Black finish, rope binding. Earliest known Gibson factory instrument
You can read more about this instrument in an article at harpguitars.net.
All photographs of this instrument are © Chris Wilhelm
