1956 Gibson L7-C Guitar

Serial #: A22618. A one-family owned instrument purchased new by the father of the current owner. In lovely condition with only the slightest surface scratches reflecting on 67 years of loving care. Comes with a case, certainly vintage though most likely not the original case, as well as its original pickguard (separated from the instrument).

A touching account, as relayed by the Consignor: In 1956, my father Julio Vicinanza, son of Italian immigrants, bought the Gibson L7-C. He bought it specifically so he could accompany his voice when he would sit outside the apartment house where his then-girlfriend, my mother Delicia Elikiam lived. He would serenade the entire building because Delicia's mother did not like the Italian boy with the pompadour and big guitar, who had a car. But he sang to her, night after night, and won over her mother, and her. My mother was a bit of a rebel, she had been married early in life, and had traveled alone and with no help, divorced an abusive husband in 1955. This was unheard of in the 1950s and very hard to do. She not only got a divorce, but she was also able to change her name back to her maiden name. My father would work hard against what was a deck stacked against my mother, but he won her devotion, and they spent the rest of their lives together.

The story inspired me when I was ten, and I began lessons on the guitar. I would go on to play in the Yardley's around the East Coast and had played in any number of Rock, Jazz, Orchestra, and Swing Bands. The story of how and why my father bought the guitar has never left me. No matter when I see the Gibson guitar I invariably think of my tough grandmother, not wanting an Italian boy to woo her Jewish daughter, even though her daughter had already been married. You can't argue with a protective mom. And I hardly ever did. And my father leaning on his car and singing love songs late on summer nights, to the woman he loved.

Condition: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in very fine condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or email Guernsey's at auctions@guernseys.com to request a more thorough condition report.

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