c. 1930 Maurer/Larson Brothers Style 551, "Concert Model". UNRESERVED. 14" at the lower bout. Brazilian rosewood back and sides. This guitar remained in the family of the original owner from its date of manufacture through 2014. Comes with modern case.

From Bob Hartman:
You are entering the domain of the fabulous, highly variable, valuable and rare Larson guitars, harp-guitars, and mandolins. The Larsons produced guitars ranging from the parlor size to a whopping 21" across the lower bout. They can be very plain to the highly ornate, and they were all built to last. They have proven to perform with ease and provide a lovely balanced sound. It is estimated they made 2,000 instruments between 1900 and 1940. Quite a feat for a two-man shop! This would include catalog items, proto-type one-of-kinds and special orders. They were pioneers of the steel-string guitar beating out Martin's production line by twenty years.
Many performers went to the Larson shop for their stage instruments, including Les Paul, who had Carl build for him three guitars to his own specifications. Gene Autry, Patsy Montana and many other performers from Chicago's WLS National Barn Dance would frequent the shop and put in their orders. These notables include George Gobel, Bob Atcher, Arkie the Arkansas Woodchopper, Karl Davis, Harty Taylor, and Doc Hopkins of the Cumberland Ridge Runners, Carolyn DeZurik, Gene Colin, Bob Gardner, Salty Holmes, Pie Plant Pete, Ester Martin, and Blain Smith. Many of these performers ordered their name inlayed in pearl on the peghead.
Carl and August immigrated to Chicago from Sweden in the 1880s. After apprenticing under the eye of Edwin Cubley and later with Robert Maurer, August, along with financial help, found himself in a position to buy out Maurer in 1900. He and Carl continued to use the Maurer brand for the rest of their careers. The Larson name was not used on any of their products. They added the Prairie State brand in 1927 and the Euphonon brand in 1930. They were agents for W. J. Dyer and Bro. starting in 1901 and Wm. C. Stahl from 1906 to the late 1930s. A small number of instruments were built for other brands as well.

MAURER BRAND, 1900-1940

This was the house brand and was used for guitars, harp guitars, and mandolin orchestra pieces. Adornments range from simple purfling to the abalone trim with a lovely tree-of-life fingerboard. Many consider the Larson products prettier than comparable Martins.

VG; scratches to top, back, & sides; picking wear, dings to headstock, ding in wood & purfling on upper bass bout (back)