NMM 10868.  Mandolin by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, 1937.  Century Model A-C (Century of Progress).  Factory Order Number 270C 8. John R. Barmeyer Collection, 2005. The Century Model A-C mandolin was one of three models (the other two were guitars) made by Gibson to commemorate the 1933-1934 Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago. Based on Gibson's popular pear-shaped Model A, the A-C featured a special pearloid fretboard and maple back and ribs. Inscriptions:  Inlaid in mother-of-pearl on headstock:  Gibson Stamped in cursive lettering on tailpiece: The / Gibson Rubber-stamped in black ink on neck block:  27.0. C / 8 [written in pencil] Front, Back, and Side Views Body:  Pear-shaped. Soundboard:  two-piece spruce: medium grain broadening slightly toward the flanks. Back:  flat, one-piece, slab-cut maple: irregular broad curl descending from treble to bass. Ribs:  two-piece, slab-cut maple: plain on bass side; faint, broad curl on treble side. Head:  mahogany veneered with white pearloid and T-shaped rosewood piece, bound in white celluloid with black celluloid purfling strip; rosewood inlaid with mother-of-pearl notched diamond and mother-of-pearl "Gibson"; pearloid, bell-shaped truss rod cover secured with nickel-plated steel slot-head screws. Neck:  mahogany; integral with head. Front and Back of Body Inlay:  Binding:  white celluloid. Rosette:  oval; three-ply (white-black-white) celluloid purfling strips set in from inside edge; edge bound in white celluloid. End graft:  none. Fretboard and Front and Back of Peghead Trim:  Heel cap:  none; neck heel flush with back. Fingerboard:  white pearloid bound in white celluloid with black celluloid purfling strip; 20 nickel-silver frets; rosewood block inlays behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 15th frets; three mother-of-pearl diamonds inlaid in rosewood blocks behind 3rd, 10th, and 15th frets; two mother-of-pearl diamonds inlaid in rosewood blocks behind 5th, 7th, and 12th frets; single imitation tortoise-shell celluloid side dots behind 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, and 15th frets; double imitation tortoise-shell celluloid side dots behind 12th fret. Nut:  bone. Bridge:  two-piece ebony with brass screws. Tuners:  two sets of chrome-plated steel worm-gear machine tuners; nickel-plated brass heads. Endpin:  ebony with mother-of-pearl eye. Pick guard:  imitation tortoise-shell celluloid. Lacquer:  dark red-brown sunburst with fine craquelure. Soundhole, Neck Heel, and Pickguard Bridge and Bottom of Mandolin Interior:  Linings:  kerfed maple. Neck block:  mahogany, curved to fit upper bouts. End block:  mahogany. Top bracing:  one spruce top brace with tapered ends. Back braces:  one spruce back brace with tapered ends. Measurements:  Total mandolin length:  651 mm (25-5/8″) Back length:  347 mm (13-21/32″) Upper bout width:  62 mm (2-7/16″) Lower bout width:  256 mm (10-1/16″) Rib height (including edging) at heel:  47 mm (1-7/8″) Rib height, at waist:  45 mm (1-25/32″) Rib height, at end block:  47 mm (1-7/8″) Head length:  162 mm (6-3/8″) Head width, top:  73 mm (2-7/8″) Head width, bottom:  58 mm (2-9/32″) Neck length (nut to ribs):  153 mm (6″) Neck width, nut:  30 mm (1-3/16″) Neck width, heel:  38 mm (1-1/2″) Soundhole height:  41 mm (1-5/8″) Soundhole width:  65 mm (2-9/16″) Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge):  E:  353 mm (13-29/32″); G:  634 mm (13-15/16″) Return to Gibson Mandolin Checklist Go to Other Century of Progress Guitar Models   Guitar by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, 1936. Century Model HG-C.   Guitar by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, 1938. Century Model L-C. National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 ©National Music Museum, 2005-2006 Most recent update: October 23, 2007 You are the 3,771st visitor to this page since October 4, 2005 The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page