Rare circa 1916–1920 SammO Genuine Koa Soprano Ukulele

Offered here is a wonderful survivor from the first great ukulele boom: an early SammO soprano manufactured for the Samuel C. Osborn Manufacturing Co. of Chicago, Illinois.

Osborn was an unusually ambitious American instrument maker whose company operated for only a brief period beginning in 1916. The firm became particularly known for its koa guitars and ukuleles, making surviving SammO instruments considerably less common today than comparable Martin, Harmony or mainland Hawaiian-branded ukuleles of the period.

This example retains the wonderful early features that make these instruments so distinctive, including the original “SammO – Genuine Koa Wood” interior label, beautifully shaped headstock, black inverted-triangle headstock inlay, traditional wooden friction tuning pegs, period-style bridge and elegant pointed fingerboard extension.

The body displays attractive old koa with the warm amber coloration that only comes with a century of age. The simple construction and light build are very much in the tradition of early Hawaiian ukuleles rather than the heavier factory instruments that became common later.

Research into Samuel C. Osborn instruments indicates that the SammO trademark was used during the company’s earliest period, with the SammoS designation becoming associated particularly with koa instruments around 1920. Taken together with the label and construction details, I believe this instrument is appropriately dated circa 1916–1920.

This isn’t merely an old ukulele. It is an unusual surviving piece from the period when the Hawaiian ukulele craze was sweeping mainland America and American manufacturers were trying to reproduce the light, responsive instruments coming from Hawaii.

Features:

• Soprano-size ukulele
• Genuine koa construction
• Samuel C. Osborn Manufacturing Co., Chicago
• Circa 1916–1920
• Original SammO paper label
• Black triangle headstock inlay
• Sculpted early-style headstock
• Wooden friction tuning pegs
• Period bridge
• Pointed fingerboard extension
• Wonderful century-old patina and character

The instrument shows the normal evidence of age and use expected from an approximately 105-year-old musical instrument. Please examine the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description.

An appealing instrument both for the vintage ukulele collector and for someone assembling examples of important early American ukulele makers. SammO instruments appear on the market only occasionally.

Includes original carry case