Clifford Essex ‘Imperial’ by Lyon & Healey (Chicago), c.1900, 10¾” spunover rim, 26” scale, cherry neck with beautifully carved heel, ebony fbd & phd overlay with finely engraved abalone inlays, nickel plated hardware, Grover ‘Champion’ friction tuners, this is actually the L & H ‘Professional’ model bought in for resale by CE with his ‘15a Grafton St’ address stamped on dowel stick, an extremely rare and high quality instrument set up with steel strings & calfskin head, very little playwear with lovely straight neck, easy action for folk & old timey stylings, EC, orig.semi-hard case.
