Egyptian Model Soprano Ukulele, most likely made by J.R. Stewart & Co., c. 1925, made in Chicago, maroon lacquer with decals finish, birch body, poplar neck, black gig bag case.
Decorated ukuleles were quite the rage in the late 1920's and early 1930's; for the manufacturer or dealer it was an easy way to diversify the product line without much extra effort. Essentially the same instrument could be offered in multiple finishes with different design motifs, which ranged from the whimsical to the truly eccentric. This is a fairly typical soprano uke most likely made around the mid-1920s by J.R. Stewart in Chicago, who are most known for the structurally almost identical Le Domino Ukes.
This particular decorative pattern is a product of the 1920's fascination for ancient Egyptian art and culture, which followed the much publicized opening of Pharoah Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. Decals on the uke represent the pyramids and king Tut motif all along the sound hole rim and on the headstock. The top, back, and sound hole are bound with black and white celluloid. The headstock edge has a distinctive carved rim first used by Stewart and inherited by Regal when they bought that bankrupt company at the start of the depression.
While the art of the Egyptians and the music of the Hawaiians may seem grossly unrelated, this ukulele is a whimsical reminder that all things are one in the world of ukedom! It plays and sounds better than many decorative ukes and is a neat just about century-old period piece.
Overall length is 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm.), 6 in. (15.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 13 in. (330 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This cool little 1920s decorated uke remains all original, with playwear mostly to the fingerboard but no major damage. The deep maroon finish is largely intact and unfaded showing only light digs and dents. There is some noticeable fingerwear in the lower positions on the fretboard, some wear to the sides of the neck near the nut and a spot on the back of the neck in the first position well worn into the wood by one of those notorious '20s spring-secured capos. "Texas" is hand-etched into the back of the headstock and several names in TINY letters on the face, so discreet as to be almost invisible. There is some chipping to the soundhole decal along the bottom but by and large the decoration is intact. This is a good playing and surprisingly fine sounding uke, a cool decorative piece that also happens to be more playable than many. Overall Very Good + Condition.
