Vagabond

I remember growing up seeing a guitar about the house and even strumming on it a few times. My mom always told me it was my dad’s, but I never saw him play it. It was a different guitar with pictures on it. Back then it seemed a rarity to me.

Some years later, my son Enric found it, and his last stay here became interested in taking it home and having a friend look into its history and perhaps restoring it.

Prior to the guitar getting restored, Enric wrote me some background on the instrument:

The genre is what is commonly known as an “Art Guitar”, as depicted by the artwork that can be found on the body of the guitar. The scene depicted on the body, plus the artwork up on the neck is all stenciled; which Frank tells me is fairly rare.

The guitar’s history can be traced back to Chicago, IL. where is was originally made from the guitar company, “Harmony Guitar Co.” (est. 1892) which is actually still in existence today, although few of the guitars are actually made in the USA anymore I believe.

Granddad’s particular guitar was made in 1937 as part of a long standing line of guitars known as “The Vagabond”. The Vagabond line of guitars began in 1931.

Most likely, the guitar sold through Sears, which is not uncommon since Sears sold just about anything you could think of back then. But being sold through a department store doesn’t mean it was cheap. On the contrary, Frank says it is a very well made guitar, with high quality parts all around.

Enric also sent photos:

Barely visible the initials JFB, Julian F. Bosley

My mom always fussed that my dad never threw anything away. I am so glad he didn’t.