NMM 10768.  Guitar by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, ca. 1967. Hummingbird model (15-3/4").  Serial number 117003. Ex coll.:  June Carter Cash.  André P. & Kay Marcum Larson Fund, 2004. According to Marshall Grant (as recorded in the Sotheby’s auction catalog), June Carter Cash (1929-2003) acquired this guitar to replace her 1961 Gibson ES-125 (acoustic/electric), which she had used in order to be heard over the band. She was “kidded” about the ES-125, so she switched to the Hummingbird, which then became one of her favorite guitars. June is shown with the guitar in a photo accompanying the article, "June Pride," in the September 18-24, 1999, issue of TV Guide. Click on the images above to see larger images of the 1999 TV Guide article. June Carter Cash and Her Hummingbird Model Guitar June Carter Cash poses with her Gibson Hummingbird model guitar at her family home in Hilltons, Virginia, in 1999. Source:  Robert K. Oermann, "June Pride," TV Guide, Vol. 47, No. 38, Issue 2425 (September 18-24, 1999), p. 27. The Hummingbird Motif The Hummingbird model, introduced in 1960, was named for the delicate image of a hummingbird feeding on the nectar of a trumpet vine that appears on the transparent red celluloid pickguard. Front, Side, and Back Views Close-ups of Guitar Body Peghead and Serial Number Fretboard, Neck Heel, and Back of Neck Fretboard Neck Heel Back of Neck Gibson's Label Literature:  Robert K. Oermann, "June Pride," TV Guide, Vol. 47, No. 38, Issue 2425 (September 18-24, 1999), pp. 26-29. Property from the Estate of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash:  September 14, 2004 (New York:  Sotheby’s, 2004), p. 94. Museum Press Release, "National Music Museum Acquires Johnny and June Carter Cash Guitars" (October 30, 2004). Robert Morast, "Famous Guitars:  Music Museum Buys Guitar Used By Johnny Cash," Sioux Falls Argus Leader (October 30, 2004). "Johnny & June Carter Cash Guitars Acquired," National Music Museum Newsletter, Vol. 32, No. 1 (February 2005), p. 7. Return to Gibson Acoustic Guitar Checklist National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 ©National Music Museum, 2005 Most recent update: October 23, 2007 You are the 81,503rd visitor to this page since April 15, 2005 The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page