I was contacted by the Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum and asked to identify several cases. I replied directly, as the owner doesnt do Facebook. But I thought you all would be interested. Ill share a couple today and others later. The first blue-lined case is for a 17 archtop and the maroon case is for a big 18 archtop. Both of these are Epiphone guitar cases. You can tell by the raised E inside the lid. I know that Lifton built these raised E cases as Ive seen identical cases with the Lifton badge, plus all the details fit Lifton specifications. They appear to be late 1940s or possibly very early 1950s. Maroon was a popular lining color for Lifton in that era. The maroon case also has an unusual flat plate at the heel and upper bout to better hold the instrument in position. This is a feature that is often seen on violin cases but very rare on any other type instrument case.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 05:12:00 +0000