This is the place to come to learn about Avery style needle cases.

Guitar

Guitar needle case
Needle Case (photographs from eBay)


Design Representation

Design Details

Needle Case Type:

Figural

Patent/Registered to:

W. Avery & Son - Redditch

Patent/Design Representation #:

Ornamental Class1: Metal: #325528

Patent/Design Registration Date:

August 30, 1878

Location of Patent/Design Registration:

The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK

Reference #:

TNA Representation - BT 43/44/325528
TNA Register - BT 44/4/325528

Dimensions:

12 x 5

Material:

Brass

Name Variations:

a) W. Avery & Son - Redditch
b) Baggallays, Westall & Spence - London

Other Variations:

None

Additional Photographs

Interior and back views

Back detail with Avery signature and front detail

Front details

Back with Baggallays signature (photo from the Curio Cabinet Antiques website)

Facts

Guitar facts

The guitar is a musical instrument with a flat rounded body and long neck containing six to twelve strings that create sound by being plucked.  Guitars come in several different varieties such as the acoustic guitar above or the electric guitar below which was introduced in the 1930’s.  The lute is similar to a guitar except the body is pear-shaped.

Guitar facts

History

Musical instruments that make sound by vibrating strings on a wooden board or base have been around since ancient times.  The history of the guitar began in Spain during the Medieval Period whereas the lute was more common in other areas of Europe.  By the mid-16th century the Spanish guitar had evolved into the classical guitar one sees today.  During the Victorian Era well-bred middle and upper class woman were only allowed to play the piano, harp or guitar due to the period’s rigid social rules.

Below: Detail of a painting by the Italian painter Caravaggio (1571-1610) entitled "The Lute Player".  Click on the picture to see the entire painting.

Guitar history misc

Miscellaneous

Jimi Hendrix was an American musician and songwriter who many consider to be the world’s greatest guitarist.  He started playing when he was 15 years old, and by age 22 was a backup musician for the Isley Brothers and Little Richard.  He moved to London in 1966 where he met other prominent guitarists and achieved success not only for his musicality but also for his stage performance, often playing the guitar with his teeth and setting his guitar on fire at the end of his performance.  After returning to the USA he became extremely popular and was the headline musician at the Woodstock music festival in 1969.  His rendition of the Star Spangled Banner became the anthem of the sixties generation.  Click on the photo below to listen to it.  Be sure to turn on your speakers.

Guitar misc