Mandolin - 1923 Gibson Lloyd Loar (Joe Val)

Feb 26,1923 Gibson F-5 “Lloyd Loar” Mandolin. Serial #72207. Beautiful “Tobacco” Cremona Finish. No Virzi.
Extraordinary looking maple on back and sides. Some of the best I've seen on any Loar. Previously owned & played from 1970~1985 by the late New England pioneer in bluegrass music, Joe Val (Joe Val & The New England Bluegrass Boys). Joe performed and recorded exclusively with this mandolin, including all of his Rounder Records recordings from 1971~1983. Joe passed away in 1985. He purchased this beauty ca.1970 when it was sold for quick cash off the street by a local guy, shall we say, down on his luck. It came without tuners on the bass-side. Luthier/Repairman Kenneth Miller did a setup at his New England shop in 1972. Ken glued the "loose" teardrop on the peghead, installed an ivory nut, and replaced a very short piece of (missing)curved binding in the upper point. Joe's mandolin has been cared for and played exclusively by Kevin Lynch since 1986. Present playing condition is EXTREMELY FINE! Re-gluing of original fingerboard; plus custom-made Lloyd Loar-era Silver Waverly tuners installed in 2006. All work done in October 2006 by Master Luthier David Harvey at the Gibson Showcase in Nashville, TN. Joe left the original tailpiece in a hotel room in the 1980s. Banjo fret wire, slightly wider than classic mando fret wire, installed in the late 1970s by Joe's sideman/banjo player Paul Silvius. Refretted only once since. Sale includes original rectangular case -- complete with original Gibson sales tag & key (sales tag reads, "Gibson: Music Pal Of The Nation $250.00"). Also comes with original treble-side tuners, original bridge & (broken) saddle, Bill of Sale photocopy from Joe's wife, one of Joe's picks (found inside the case) and photos of this well-documented instrument. SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY please contact Kevin Lynch via e-mail or phone for price at current exchange rate. Upon request I can offer a more complete history of this rare, collectible piece of American Bluegrass music history. Will hand deliver if at all possible. As any historian will tell you, these Loar-period Gibson mandolins are few. No denying they are a solid investment, even in these poor economic times these vinatge pieces do not decline in value.