Wolfram Guitar

c. 1905. Wolfram Guitar Company, Columbus, Ohio. Triumph Parlour guitar. Simple but handsome instrument with finely matched back panels. Resonating neck. One repaired crack extending from bridge down. Another hairline crack from bridge down on treble side. Height: 93cm.

The Wolfram Guitar Company, which was formed in Columbus, Ohio around 1891, made instruments marketed under the Triumph brand. The company is best known today among guitar collectors and historians for introducing the aluminum fretboard, which Theodore Wolfram patented in 1893. Aluminum was a novel material at the time. According to guitar historian Michael Holmes, the company announced the making of their 10,000th instrument in February 1901, but was declared insolvent before the end of the year. Apparently, Theodore Wolfram continued in business operating as the Wolfram Guitar & Mandolin Company until 1910.

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.