Orville Gibson Acoustic Guitar, 1897

This 1897 archtop acoustic guitar is the earliest-known guitar created by Orville H. Gibson (1856-1918), namesake of Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd. (established 1902), now Gibson Brands, Inc. 

Gibson began manufacturing mandolins as early as 1894, but added guitars, starting with this one, in 1897. The handwritten paper label inside the guitar dates it to 1897 and makes it the earliest known instrument of any kind made by Gibson with a dated label. By applying the same manufacturing techniques used to make violins, Gibson invented the archtop-style mandolin and guitar. His instruments featured carved tops and backs with rims sawn from a solid piece of wood rather than bent from thin strips. The distinctive paddle-shaped headstock was another trademark of the Orville-made guitars from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Steel strings were also standard, an unusual feature for guitars from this time period. 

In 1902, Gibson sold his name and mandolin patent to a group of five investors, who formed the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Company, Ltd., now Gibson Brands, Inc. Orville himself was never a partner in the company, but served instead as a consultant until 1909. He negotiated a new contract in 1915, under which he received a monthly royalty until his death three years later. Even though the Gibson company eventually altered many of his original methods and designs, they continued to use Orville’s concept of the large-body archtop, which helped popularize the guitar in the late 1920s and early 1930s.