Concert Size Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, labeled A. Galiano (1914), made in Jersey City, NJ, natural varnish finish, mahogany body and neck, spruce top, original brown tooled leather case.
There is considerable mystery in guitar circles about the relationship between the prolific Oscar Schmidt company of Jersey City NJ and several downtown New York Italian-American luthiers. The Label "A.Galiano" appears on many instruments from the early 1900s into the 1960s, starting with bowlback mandolins and ending up on imported electric guitars!
There does not seem to have ever been a Mr. Galiano; rather, it appears that this was a tradename used by several luthiers and/or shops in lower Manhattan. One of these was the establishment of Raphael Ciani, famous in retrospect for being the training ground for Ciani's nephew John D'Angelico. There are Galiano instruments with Ciani's name listed on the printed label, and some that definitely show the evolving aesthetic that would find full flower in the instruments D'Angelico would later build under his own name. Another local luthier, Anthony Cerrito, is also said to have used the brand.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Carefully restored to fine playing condition with minimal alteration to the original instrument, this is the most original example of one of these rare New York guitars we have seen. Often this type of guitar has been heavily altered over time; this one survived many years laying untouched in the original leather case! The frets, bridge, bridgepins, tuners and all finish are unaltered; the neck was reset and this guitar plays extremely well.
One area of noticeable playwear to the top in the usual spot; some slight moisture wear to the finish and minor shrinkage to some of the backstrip. An extremely fine example of this nearly 100 year old instrument. Excellent Condition.
