George W. Lyon Concert Guitar

Number 740. Extremely rare guitar. The maker is the "George W. Lyon" from "Lyon & Healy." The guitar is made as described in a patent Lyon received on Jan. 5, 1892, U.S Patent 466501. Cracks on top, crack on back extending from upper bout down. Height: 96cm.

George Washburn Lyon (July 1825 - January 12, 1984). Born in Northborough, Worcester County, MA, Mr. Lyon was a co-founder of Lyon & Healy in 1864. Mr. Lyon was identified with the music trade throughout his business life, both in Boston and Chicago. He migrated to Chicago in 1864, and with P.J. Healy founded the house of Lyon & Healy. By 1865, Lyon & Healy had expanded into reed organs and some small instruments. The company achieved independence by 1880, and around 1888 the company launched fully into fretted and plucked instruments (guitars, mandolins, banjos, and zithers) under the George Washburn brand, Lyon's first and middle name. Mr. Lyon invented many valuable improvements for musical instruments, and was a learned and skillful player of many of them, having studied the harp under the great Apt. Thomas, and having, moreover, been a most diligent pupil of the best teachers of stringed and brass instruments of his time. His entire career was devoted to the music business and to the art of music.

The Meisel Collection. This instrument is being sold from The Meisel Collection assembled over a period of forty years by an accomplished attorney from Princeton, New Jersey. The owner traveled the world in search of rare, interesting, and handsome instruments to fill a collection that until now was displayed in his beautiful Princeton home.

Please note: The items in the Meisel Collection are being sold F.O.B. Princeton, New Jersey. The recommended shipper is the U.P.S. Store, 174 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08542 which has extensive experience shipping fragile auction items. The Store can be emailed at store2026@theupsstore.com or called at 609-924-0759. The auction house makes no commission on shipping; payment for shipping is made by the buyer directly to the shipper. Although buyers are free to use any shipper they choose, we have found this shipper to be fair and reliable. For those wishing to pick up their Meisel purchases in Princeton: once you have paid for your purchase(s), we will advise you of when and where in Princeton you will be able to schedule an appointment to pick up your lot(s). Please be aware that auction Lots 800 and up are not in Princeton but, with the exception of a handful of items, these lots are with Guernsey's in New York City.

Condition: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in very fine condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or email Guernsey's at auctions@guernseys.com to request a more thorough condition report.