What is it that makes some musical instruments rare or collectible? I can think of several important factors:
• First rate materials that are no longer available
• Extremely fine workmanship
• A very limited production
• An interesting historical context in which the instrument was made
These factors combined for a “perfect storm” that made the Martin D-45 the first guitar of the twentieth century to gain widespread popularity as a collector’s item barely 20 years after its production. We are proud to offer one at the Skinner Musical Instruments Auction on November 6, 2011 in Boston, MA.
C.F. Martin & Company had always made guitars in a very conservative style, and was even reluctant to list the D-45 as a regular item in their catalogue. Beginning in 1933, a few dozen were made at the request of famous cowboy personalities and specialty music stores. Gene Autry, Nolan “Cowboy Slim” Rinehart, Tex Fletcher, Jackie Moore and others wanted big guitars that would get them noticed. Martin added more pearl inlay on these instruments than on any D-size guitar that they had made previously, and used only selected pieces of spruce and rosewood of exceptional quality.
In 1938, the D-45 finally merited mention in the Martin catalogue with a one-line description as “a very handsome guitar.” By 1942, a total of only 91 of these rare guitars had been made, and production during wartime ceased.
The D-45 coming up in the Boston auction bears the serial number 79583 and comes from the family of the original owner. It was reportedly played on the Grand Ole Opry radio show a number of times, but was never used professionally, so it has the patina of age without showing a career’s worth of pick wear. It is well conserved, having never been repaired or refinished, and retains all of its original parts.
There were 24 D-45s built in 1941, in batches of six. This was the first of the fourth batch. This rare guitar is available for public viewing in our auction gallery at 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA from November 4th through 6th. The auction estimate ranges between $180,000-240,000.
It was a thrill to pick up and play this guitar. Despite its massive proportions and the amount of pearl trim, it is surprisingly light. Great care was taken to give these instruments the maximum amount of strength with the least amount of materials. How does it sound? Like a house.
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Wow, congratulations for the fine listing, David. Fifty years ago, as a kid, I had a 1939 D-45 in similar original condition. It went to to pay for college. I now content myself with dreadnaught and jumbo Larsons which players know are just as good but not yet as widely appreciated by the collector market. It will happen though, quite a few modern boutique makers are coming out with reproductions of the Larson Brothers work. Check my website for a few of my 1930s originals including a 1938 Larson version of a D-45. Best, Dave Portman
Thank you for your interest — The Larson Brothers’ guitars may still be conservatively priced, which makes them a great value.
I hope you are the Dave Portman I knew in Ithaca. I once came across a website with a picture of the
very young Lois, you and me with three 45’s. I think the picture was taken outside our apartment on Game Farm Road. I looked for the website again, but can’t seem to find it.
If you’re the right Dave Portman, I’d love to hear from you.
Cheers,
Mike Bradley
If the pre-WWII Martin D-45 is the Strad, the Stuart Mossman made Golden Era is the Guarneri of guitars. I would love to own & play a D-45, but as that is/was out of my price range, I was fortunate to have a Golden Era custom built for me by Stuart Mossman in 1983. The Mossman shop had its business ups & downs, and consequently a very low output of instruments. Stuart died of cancer around 1998 and the name is now carried on by a shop in Texas. Mossmans are also popular in professional music and can be readily identified by their uniquely shaped pick guards. More history can be found on the net. Have a great auction!
Stan,
Thank you for the information on Stuart Mossman. We will be interested to see how the market develops on these in the future. Hang on to something that’s good — loving something is the best reason to own it.
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So, what did it actually sell for?
If you got over a hundred grand I’ll be surprised (actually, I’d be surprised at anything over 50 or 60K, but there are some very rich people in the world!!)
Dove,
Prepare to be surprised! The Martin D-45 sold for $219,225 on November 6, 2011. Thank you for your interest.
Thanks for getting back to me (all of us) on the guitar…that is amazing, awesome! Nice job guys, well done!
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My brother owns the D-45 Martin given to him by Burl Ives when the singer, a close friend of our family, moved on to a smaller guitar that was easier to manage.
Hello Christopher,
I’m gathering information about all of the 91 pre-war Martin D-45’s.
Our web page is – https://sites.google.com/site/martind45masterlist/
We would love to include photos and information / stories about your brother’s ( ex Burl Ives D-45 )
Please pass along my e-mail address to your brother.
Thanks,
Bob Hamilton
shakerdesign@yahoo.com
Hi Christopher,
Is your brother Tom Morgan who I knew many years ago? If so, I’d like to be in touch with him again.
Best,
Dave Portman
david.n.portman@gmail.com