1891 John Church Imperial Parlor Guitar. This is a rare guitar made in Cincinatti, Oh. It is the first steel stringed parlor guitar to be made. It shows the signs of music changing from classical to blues and jazz. This guitar was brought to a professional for minor repairs and tuning. The guitar holds a tune is and able to be played; however, this piece is more valuable historically. It does have a beautiful sound. I will post a video on youtube of it being played later this week. It does not have it original case. The guitar will be shipped in a new hard case. There is some minor wear and tear to this piece, however it was left in a closet for forty years and that has helped it maintain a very good condition for its age. The notes have been carved into the wood by the frets. The ivory handles on the tuners are in very good condition.


The Imperial Guitar Company was a division of the John Church Company of Cincinnati, Ohio (Founded in 1871). They are most noted historically for having the first patent for the design of a metal bridge designed to accommodate metal strings on an acoustic guitar (1891, No. 454,905 - C.F. Geiger).