Introduced just four years earlier in 1902, this Gibson F-4 is a stunning example, featuring many early transitional specifications, and has been well preserved over its 120 years. The fully bound three point F style body is of high grade flamed maple, with a finely grained black painted spruce top; deeply carved two piece maple back, with thickly carved/semi-hollow scroll, bound oval sound hole with rosette band of ivoroid surrounded by herringbone marquetry, with inlaid tortoise pickguard sporting a butteryfly abalone inlay; FON stamp on neck block present, along with original engraved tailpiece; finish checking, crazing, scratches from playing and stowage present on body, along with sealed vertical top crack next to bass side fingerboard extension present; replaced compensated rosewood bridge; top has sunk slightly between soundhole and bridge. The multipiece flamed maple neck has a 14" scale fully bound rosewood fingerboard with treble side extension, with jaw dropping peghead inlay of pearl and abalone in "double/reverse floral flowerpot" pattern on face; equipped with engraved Handel tuners, with 1-3/32" wide bone nut (later); neck suffered cracks on the heel, large peghead scroll, and along the backstrap on back of peghead but have been repaired, with light overspray applied throughout the instrument; finish chips, checking and dings are present as well. Past refret present, giving great playability (mild/medium action), with only subtle "fall-off" over extended frets. Rich, 120 year aged sound! Included in sale is white fiber glass hard case