Original Document

Few industries are better known than that of Messrs. C. F. Martin and Co., manufacturers of Guitars, who are now conducting a business that was established in the early part of the present century. The father of the senior of the present firm, while living in Vienna, Austria, early began the manufacture of their instruments, and soon established for himself a permanent reputation which had extended to the shores of America. Believing that this country would naturally become liberal supporters of all enterprise of this kind, he arrived In New York City in 1833, where he continued his manufacture until 1839, and then removed to Nazareth.

In 1869 the present firm of C. F. Martin and Co., succeeded, ad have since conducted the enterprise. They manufacture all kinds of Guitars of rosewood in different finish and ranging in price from $36 to $90. These instruments have been used by all first-class professors, and are thoroughly known by all music houses, professors, teachers, and amateur players of the Guitar throughout the country. It is the aim of the manufacturer to furnish the best guitar that can be produced, and in that they have certainly succeeded, they standing to-day without a rival. The firm are in possession of testimonials from the leading solo players in this country and Europe, and wherever tried their instruments are pronounced the finest toned and the handsomest finished of any in the market. They are all shipped direct to the agents, C. A. Zoebisch and Sons, 46 Maiden Lane, New York.

The senior or the firm, Mr. C. F. Martin, was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1825, coming to this country in 1833 with his father, and upon reaching the proper age entered the factory, where he has always continued. Thoroughly understanding the business, through many years of practical experience, he has not only maintained the high reputation of the instruments, but by some improvements added much to them. He is now the Burgess of the Borough of Nazareth. Mr. C. F, Hartman, was born in Markneukirchen, Saxony, in 1850, and came to this country in 1839, since when he has been engaged in the present business. Like his partner, his experience extends over the greater part of his life, and to this knowledge is due the superiority of their Guitar.

As an evidence of the high character of these instruments both as regards tone and fine workmanship it is only necessary to state that at the Franklin Institute exhibition in Philadelphia in 1845 the highest honor, a silver medal, was awarded the manufacturers. And at the Great World's fair in the Crystal Palace held in New York in 1855, a medal was also awarded for their superiority. In 1876 at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia where they were placed in competition with those of the best makers of the world, a medal and diploma, the highest honor, was accorded them for their richness and clearness of tone, beautiful finish and durability and general excellence and superiority over all others. This compliment was highly appreciated by the manufacturers, whose great aim is to keep their instruments up to the high standard they have attained, and in many instances great improvements have been made in their construction which has greatly added to their already supreme qualities.


Credit: C. F. Martin and Company, Manufacturers of Guitars, Corner Main and North Streets, 1881.