P'Mico Collegiate Model Soprano Ukulele, made by Harmony, c. 1927, made in Chicago, natural varnish with stenciling finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; poplar neck..
"P'mico" was a brand name of Progressive Musical Instrument Company, one of New York's more creative jobbers. A wide range of interesting and often colorful ukes were sold bearing this brand in the 1920's and early 30's, including this nice decorated Harmony. This is a fairly fancy if relatively inexpensive ukulele with an unusual spruce top (most ukes use a hardwood top) featuring colored wood trim around the edge and soundhole and a two-color stencil below the bridge. The fingerboard is painted dark with stenciled dot markers, while the headstock carries a decal depicting a ribbon and banner with the legend "Collegiate, product of P'Mico New York".
There is a paper label inside with "Genuine P'Mico Ukulele" (no imitation P'mico ukes have apparently appeared, but it's good to be sure!) and a second "Standard Approved" label which is one of the marks of Harmony-made instruments in this period. This is a good playing uke with a fairly mellow sound and also a nice 1920's decorator piece.
Overall length is 20 5/8 in. (52.4 cm.), 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
All original; light play wear, but overall a clean and very playable uke. Excellent Condition.
