1843 Martin Guitar Value?

[mdesha123]

I have a Martin guitar, 1843 with original case.  It has ivory inlay.  Any insight on how much this might be worth would be apprciated.

[melda58]

You would be well advised to get a professional opinion.  You could most likely achieve that by contacting the company itself.    

https://www.martinguitar.com/visit-us.html#1833shop

Rita

[glorybells]

If it has any ivory, you will probably run into problems trying to list it on eBay,as items with ivory are prohibited.

[sonomabarn67]

Two things... You can not sell this on ebay due to the white bits and two, it's a really sweet early Martin in remarkable condition. Are there any stamps or writing on the inside of the soundbox? Take a portable lamp and light up the interior. I have an 1840's parlor guitar made in  Markneukirchen, Germany  the birthplace of CF Martin, that I am restoring. Pending a hands on appraisal, your guitar would start at $4K and go to $10K But as suggested take it to an expert and get a current appraisal. If you have an urge to play it get a set of gut strings $$ to make it sound what it did in the 1840s. Don't put steel strings on it as you could damage it. Those will cost you around $100. Lucky you! Oh, the case is called a coffin style due to obvious reasons.

[sonomabarn67]

And don't do anything to that finish, nothing!

[roccotacodad54]

   Everything sonomabarn67 told you and don't try to sell it here for goodness sake. Don't try to sell it outside of the country especially. I'd even beware of selling it interstate. You risk losing it with no remittance! It's beautiful and precious and to have it coinfiscated would be a shame. A shame to have it fall into hands of well meaning people that might destroy it and feel justified in doing so.

   I'm not sure which guitar company it was but one got raided and stripped of even rare woods that are now banned from what I've been told.

                Precious............Be careful.

[sonomabarn67]

I wanted to add to my comment on Markneukirchen. It has traditionally been a town dedicated to the creation of many types of stringed instruments which is why the CF Martin birthplace/origin story basically starts there. From the research I've done my guitar is not a Martin (could be 😊). But, it has the most wonderful striped mahogany on the back I've ever seen and when done will be a daily player for me.