1879 Jose do Espirito Santo Ukulele – “The First Ukulele”

Circa 1879. “The First Ukulele” ever made.

Jose do Espirito Santo Ukulele. Coveted Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with a spruce top. Brazilian Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Hawaiian Koa wood neck. Rope binding on soundboard with matching rope marquetry rosette. Cloud inlay at the butt of the instrument, a characteristic often only found on the earliest ukuleles. Wooden friction tuners. Original handcrafted coffin case.

This instrument was on display at the Honolulu Academy of Arts in 1941 as ‘The First Ukulele in Hawaii’. It still bears the museum tag numbered 11573 above the bridge and is a remarkable historical piece. ID#190026

Not for Sale.