Object of the Day

Signed Guitar and Case Owned by James Brown

May 3 Known as the “Godfather of Soul”, funk pioneer James Brown was born on this day in 1933. This Epiphone acoustic guitar owned by Brown is signed by several celebrities with messages of thanks and praise for him.

Signed guitar and case owned by James Brown

Description
An Epiphone guitar and a TKL Products Corp. case owned by James Brown. The six-string acoustic guitar is Epiphone model EJ-200NA and has a maple body and a spruce top and neck. The guitar also features gold colored metal hardware and a set maple neck with a crown inlay on a rosewood fingerboard. The serial number of the guitar is Y207183. The guitar is inscribed and signed by several famous individuals in black permanent marker on the front, sides and back of the body. All of the messages are to James Brown and offer praise and thanks. Two of the individuals who signed the guitar are Casey Kasem and Ozzy Osbourne.
The guitar case is black with a black cloth lined interior. The clasp and hinges are made of brass colored metal. The TKL Products Corp. logo is on the outside of the case next to the handle. A logo is also on the inside of the case next to the top hinge where the guitar’s neck would be placed.
Transcription Center Status
Transcribed by Digital Volunteers
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Manufactured by
Epiphone Guitar Corp., American, founded 1873
TKL Products Corp., American, founded 1984
Owned by
James Brown, American, 1933 - 2006
Date
2002
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Medium
a: maple, spruce, rosewood, metal, plastic, paper, ink;
b: plastic, metal, cloth
Dimensions
guitar: 41 1/2 × 16 3/4 × 4 7/8 in. (105.4 × 42.5 × 12.4 cm)
guitar case: 46 × 19 1/4 × 6 3/8 in. (116.8 × 48.9 × 16.2 cm)
Type
cases (containers)
musical instruments
guitars