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The Unofficial New York Epiphone Registry

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The Unofficial NY Epiphone Group

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Blondes flyer

Catalogs, flyers, price lists, adverts

Original Epiphone catalogs, flyers, price lists and adverts are key documents that help to understand the company's product history. However one has to keep in mind that actual production models/examples often differed from catalog descriptions and specifications.

Last updated: 3 Nov 2022


1. Catalogs, flyers, price lists:

Below a selection of Epiphone sales literature from the 1930-50s period.

This list is not complete – there are some important Epiphone pamphlets we know they exist but haven't been able to locate a copy, most notably:

  • 1931 Epiphone Masterbilt instruments flyer
  • 1937 Epiphone Electar electric instruments flyer

If you own (or have pictures of) one of these – or other pamphlets that are not listed below – please let me know. Thanks so much!

Year approx Cover image
Description
1930 1930 Continental cat Recording

Epiphone Recording Guitars
Catalog Continental Music Co,
p 192-194

Download PDF

(Collection Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum)
1930


1930 Continental Seville catalog

Epiphone Seville Model Guitars
Catalog supplement Continental Music Co

Download PDF

(Collection Noah Miller)
1930 1930 Seville flyer

Epiphone Seville Model Guitars
Flyer, 2 p

Download PDF

(Collection Rod McDonald)
1932 1932 catalog

Epiphone Masterbilt Fretted Instruments
Catalog, 24 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1933 1933 flyer

Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Flyer, 4 p / 2 versions

1933 version "Boosters": Download PDF
1934 version "Sundries": Download PDF

(Collection Rod McDonald)
1934
1934 catalog

Epiphone Masterbilt Fretted Instruments
Catalog, 36 p

Download PDF (from Acousticmusic.org)
Updated 1935 copy: Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1935 Sorrentino CMI catalog

Sorrentino Hand Made Guitars
Catalog Chicago Musical Instruments Co
(Sorrentino: p 115–122)

Download PDF

(Collection Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum)
1935 1935 Electar flyer

Epiphone presents Electar Electric Music
Flyer, 2 p

Download PDF

(Collection Rod McDonald)
1936
1936 catalog

Epiphone Instrument Builders Since 1873 (orange cover)
Catalog, 32 p

Download PDF

(Collection Dutch Archtop Guitar Museum)
1936
1936 Emperor flyer

The Emperor – The Supreme Achivement in Guitars by Epiphone
Flyer, 2 p

Download PDF

(from Acousticmusic.org)
1936
1937 Electar catalog
Electar Electric Musical Instruments
Catalog, 20 p

Download PDF
Updated 1937 copy: Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler / Antony Hendrix)

1937
1937 catalog

Epiphone Instrument Builders Since 1873 (blue cover)
Catalog, 32 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1937 1937 flyer

Epiphone Instrument Builders Since 1873
Flyer, 2 p

Download PDF

(Collection George Gruhn)
1938 Hints, George van Eps

Hints to Guitarists by George van Eps
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)

1938
1939 Selmer catalog

Orchestral Guitars 1939 / Selmer UK
Catalog, 16 p (Epiphone: p2–p5)

View on VintAxe.com (no affiliation)

(Collection VintAxe.com)
1939
1939 catalog

Epiphone Musical Instruments
(purple cover)

Catalog, 48 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1940
1940 Blondes flyer


For Those Who Prefer "Blondes" Epiphone presents 3 New Exquisite Instruments
Flyer, 2 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)

1940



1940 Basses flyer

Epiphone Basses
Flyer, 2 p

Download PDF

(Epiphone Jim Fisch Archive)
1940

1940 Oct price list

New Prices: Oct 10, 1940
Flyer, 1 p

Download PDF

(Source unknown)
1940

1940 Oil-Power

A Picture Story Of The Making Of A Guitar
Oil-Power, October 1940

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941
1941 Feb price list

New Prices: Feb 1, 1941
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941 1941 April mailer

Epiphone Varichord: April 1941
Flyer, 6 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941
1941 Oct price list

New Prices: Oct 7, 1941
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1941
1941 Dec price list

Price Changes: Dec 1, 1941
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection George Gruhn)
1942
1942 catalog

Epiphone Musical Instruments /
Catalog V (green cover)

Catalog, 48 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1942
1942 March pricelist

New Prices (Catalog V): Mar 15, 1942
Flyer, 6 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1946 1946 Apr pricelist
New Prices (Catalog V): Apr 1, 1946 + Notice sheet
Flyer, 6 p + 1 p

Price list: Download PDF
Notice sheet: Download PDF

(Collection George Gruhn)

1947 1947 strings catalog

Epiphone Strings: Feb 20, 1947
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1947 1947 June price list

New Prices (Catalog V): Jun 1, 1947
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Rod McDonald)
1948 1948 March pricelist

New Prices (Catalog V): Mar 15, 1948
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Rod McDonald)
1949 1949 March pricelist

Epiphone Price List: Mar 15, 1949
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1949 1949 Basses flyer

Epiphone Basses
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1949
1950 catalog

Epiphone Acoustic Guitars and Mandolins
Catalog, 8 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1949






1950 Electar catalog

Epiphone Electar Electronic Instruments
Catalog, 8 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1950 1950 July pricelist

Epiphone Price List: Jul 15, 1950
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)
1950 1950 strings catalog

Epiphone Masterbilt Strings:
Oct 15, 1950

Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Mark Anagnostopulos)
1950 pic

Epiphone Price List: Nov 15, 1950
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Mark Anagnostopulos)
1951 1951 Zephyr Emperor flyer
Epiphone's Zephyr Emperor Vari-Tone
Promo card, 1 p

Download PDF

(source unknown)

1953

1953 July pricelist

Epiphone Retail Price List: July 1953
Flyer, 4 p

Download PDF

(Collection Rod McDonald)
1954

1954 catalog

Epiphone – dedicated to the best
Continental Music
Catalog, 16 p

Download PDF

(Collection Felix Wiedler)
1955 Volpe model sheet
Epiphone Harry Volpe Model
Continental Music
Catalog insert, 1 p

Download JPG

(Collection unknown)

1955 1955 Volpe sheet

Epiphone Harry Volpe Model
Promo card, 1 p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)

1955 1955 amp catalog

Epiphone Professional Amplifiers
Continental Music
Flyer, 6p

Download PDF

(Collection Anthony Hendrix)



2. Adverts:

Click images to enlarge (most photos provided by Anthony Hendrix)


1932

Epi ad 1932 Feb
The Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Feb 1932

Epi ad 1932 Mar
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Mar–May 1932

Epi ad 1932 Jun
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Jun–Jul 1932

Epi ad 1932 Nov
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Aug–Dec 1932


1933

Epi ad 1933 Jan
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Jan 1933

Epi ad 1933 Mar
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Feb–Jun 1933

Epi ad 1933 Sep
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Sep 1933

Epi ad 1933 Oct
You'll like the Epiphone ...
Metronome, Oct/Nov 1933

Epi ad 1933 Dec
The Choice of the Stars
Metronome, Dec 1933




1934

Epi ad 1934 Jan
The Choice of the Stars
Metronome, Jan 1934

Epi ad 1933 Feb
The Stars Who Play Epiphone
Metronome, Feb 1934

Epi ad 1934 Mar
Our Hat is Off to Them!
Metronome, Mar 1934

Epi ad 1934 Apr
"Backing Every Epiphone Guitar"
Metronome, Apr 1934

Epi ad 1934 May
"Gilding the Lily" ...
Metronome, May 1934

Epi ad 1934 Jun
Accepted!
Metronome, Jun 1934

Epi ad 1934 Aug
Use Epiphone Strings
Metronome, Aug 1934

Epi ad 1934 Sep
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Metronome, Sep 1934

Epi ad 1934 Sep
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
International Musician, Sep 1934

Epi ad 1934 Oct
Our Customers Said It!
International Musician, Oct 1934

Epi ad 1934 Oct
"When You Want the Best ..."
Metronome, Oct 1934

Epi ad 1934 Nov
"Some Time, Anyhow ..."
Metronome, Nov 1934

Epi ad 1934 Nov
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
International Musician, Nov 1934

Epi ad 1934 Dec
Give Yourself an Epiphone
International Musician, Dec 1934

Epi ad 1934 Dec
Epiphone Masterbilt Supreme ...
Metronome, Dec 1934




1935

Epi ad 1935 Jan
"The Best Guitar Made"
Metronome, Jan 1935

Epi ad 1935 Jan
"For Hard Service"
International Musician, Jan 1935

Epi ad 1935 Mar
Your Leader Tells You!
Metronome, Feb/Mar 1935

Epi ad 1935 Mar
Your Leader Tells You!
International Musician, Feb 1935

Epi ad 1935 Apr
Write Today ...
International Musician, Apr 1935

Epi ad 1935 Apr
Write Today ...
Metronome, Apr 1935

Epi ad 1935 May
all stars... and all play Epiphone
International Musician, May 1935

Epi ad 1935 May
These Aces of the Air ...
Metronome, May 1935

Epi ad 1935 Jun
New Oversize Zenith
Metronome, Jun 1935

Epi ad 1935 Jun
New Auditorium-Size Blackstone
International Musician, Jun 1935

Epi ad 1935 Jul
Sorrentino Guitars
Metronome, Jul 1935
(Chicago Musical Instruments)




Epi ad 1935 Sep
The 2 Top Guitarists
Metronome, Sep/Oct 1935

Epi ad 1935 Nov
Alright – The New Electar ...
Metronome, Nov 1935

Epi ad 1935 Dec
2 new and Greater Epiphone ...
Metronome, Dec 1935

Epi ad 1935 Dec
"The new Electar is sensational!"
Metronome, Dec 1935


1936

Epi ad 1936 Jan
Perfection+Plus
Metronome, Jan 1936

Electar ad 1936 Jan
Three Reasons Why
Metronome, Jan 1936

Epi ad 1936 Jan
No Other Electric Guitar
International Musician, Jan 1936

Epi ad 1936 Beihoff
Epiphone Masterbilt Guitars
Music Dictionary, Beihoff, 1936

Epi ad 1936 Feb
All Ace Swing Bands ...
Metronome, Feb 1936

Epi ad 1936 Mar
Electar Wins New Artists
Metronome, Mar 1936

Epi ad 1936 Apr
... Switch to Epiphone
Metronome, Apr 1936

Epi ad 1936 May
Another Epiphone Scoop ...!
Metronome, May 1936

Epi ad 1936 Jul
Tone – Volume
Metronome, Jul 1936

Electar ad 1936 Jul
Electar New Design Power ...
Metronome, Jul 1936

Epi ad 1936 Sep
Epiphone ... Love at First Sound
Metronome, Sep 1936

Epi ad 1936 Oct
It must be the Best Guitar ...
Metronome, Oct 1936

Epi ad 1936 Oct
Electar – The Electric Guitar
Metronome, Oct 1936

Epi ad 1936 Nov
Epiphone Stars Across The Sea
Metronome, Nov 1936

Handcraft ad 1936 Nov
Spot The Stars!
Melody Maker, Nov 1936
(Handcraft, UK)




Epi ad 1936 Nov
A Hit!
Metronome, Nov 1936

Epi ad 1936 Dec
The Emperor
Metronome, Dec 1936

Epi ad 1936 Dec
Air Scoop Andy Sannella
Metronome, Dec 1936

Epi ad 1936 Dec
Announcing Model "C" Electar
Music Trades, Dec 1936


1937

Epi ad 1937 Jan
Winning with Epiphone ... Metronome, Jan 1937

Epi ad 1937 Jan Down Beat
Electar – The Magic Guitar
DownBeat, Jan 1937

Electar ad 1937 Feb
Electar – Ralph Collicchio
Metronome, Feb 1937

Epi ad 1937 Feb
Epiphone – Mike Poveromo
Metronome, Feb 1937

Electar ad 1937 March Down Beat
Epiphone Star Sammy Friedman
DownBeat, Mar 1937

Epi ad 1937 Mar
Hilton "Nappy" Lamare Metronome, Mar 1937

Epi ad 1937 Mar
Sleepy Hall and his Electar Banjo
Metronome, Mar 1937

Epi ad 1937 Apr
Epiphone Masterbilt Strings
Metronome, Apr 1937

Epi ad 1937 Apr
Popularity Champions
Metronome, Apr 1937

Epi ad 1937 Jun
Metronome Contest Results ...
Metronome, Jun 1937

Epi ad 1937 Jul
For The Stars Everywhere Metronome, Jul 1937

Epi ad 1937 Aug
NAMM Convention, Chicago, 1937
Metronome, Aug 1937

Epi ad 1937 Sep
Epiphone Frequensator
Metronome, Sep 1937

Electar ad 1936 Sep
Rocco ToneExpressor
Metronome, Sep 1937

Epi ad 1937 Oct
A Short Short Story
Metronome, Oct 1937

Epi ad 1937 Nov
They asked for the best
Metronome, Nov 1937

Epi ad 1937 Dec
Do you want the right answers?
Metronome, Dec 1937

Epi ad 1937
Epiphone ... Electar
Music Trades, Purchaser's, 1937


1938

Epi ad 1938 Jan
Pardon Us
Metronome, Jan 1938

Electar ad 1938 Feb
Presenting Carmen Mastren
Metronome, Feb 1938

Epi ad 1938 Apr
You Are The Judge...
Tempo, Apr 1938


Selmer ad 1Melody Maker 938 Apr
Guitarists! Meet Herb Sunshine
Melody Maker, Apr 1938
(Selmer, UK)

Lockie ad 1938 Aug
The New Emperor Model "400"
Tempo, Aug 1938
(Lockie Music Exchange)

Epi ad 1938 Apr
We Switched to Epiphone
Tempo, Sep 1938
(Lockie Music Exchange)

Epi ad 1938 Sep
...on the Air... in the Movies...
Metronome, Sep 1938

Epi ad 1938 Oct
Epiphone Now Exclusively Used ...
Metronome, Oct 1938

Epi ad 1938 Oct Tempo
At New York Swing Carnival
Tempo, Oct 1938


Ad 1938 Oct Tempo
Howard Coan
Tempo, Oct 1938
(Lockie Music Exchange)

Epi ad 1938 Novr
With The Boys In The Know ...
Metronome, Nov 1938

Epi ad 1938 Dec
With The Leading Bands ...
Metronome, Dec 1938

Beihoff catalog 1938
Epiphone Guitars Can't Be Beat...
Music Dictionary, Beihoff, 1938




1939

Epi ad 1939 Jan
Contest Winners
Metronome, Jan 1939


Lockie ad Tempo 1939 Jan
Don Ricardo
Tempo, Jan 1939
(Lockie Music Exchange)

Tempo ad 1939 Jan Lockie
Al Hendrickson
Tempo, Feb 1939
(Lockie Music Exchange)

Epi ad 1939 Feb
George van Eps Method
Metronome, Feb 1939


Epi ad 1939 Feb
Epiphone Leads Again
Metronome, Feb 1939

Epi ad 1939 Mar
They Satisfy
Metronome, Mar 1939

Epi ad 1939 Apr
I''s an Epiphone... again
Metronome, Apr 1939

Epi ad 1939 May
The Cream of the Crop...
Metronome, May 1939

Epi ad 1939 Jun
To The Most Exacting Tastes...
Metronome, Jun 1939

Epi ad 1939 Jul
Epiphone Guitars "Cut Through" Metronome, Jul 1939

Tempo ad 1939 Aug Lockie
Tony Schroeder
Tempo, Aug 1939
(Lockie Music Exchange)




Epi ad 1939 Aug
Sparkling Tone...
Metronome, Aug 1939

Epi ad 1939 Sep
Extra Measures of Value
Metronome, Sep 1939

Epi ad 1939 Oct
"Good News of 1940"
Metronome, Oct 1939

Epi ad 1939 Nov
Out Front... With The Best...
Metronome, Nov 1939

Epi ad 1939 Dec
Leaders in the field
Metronome, Dec 1939




1940

Epi ad 1940 Jan
Carmen Mastren... The Winner
Metronome, Jan 1940

Epi ad 1940 Feb
With The "Top Hatters"
Metronome, Feb 1940

Epi ad 1940 Mar
That Extra Something
Metronome, Mar 1940

Epi ad 1940 Apr
Epiphone Is The Tops
Metronome, Apr 1940

Epi ad 1940 Jun
Star Performers...
Metronome, Jun 1940

Epi ad 1940 Aug
Epiphone Basses
Metronome, Aug 1940

Epi ad 1940 Sep
Smooth Performances
Metronome, Sep 1940

Epi ad 1940 Oct
A "Star" Combination
Metronome, Oct 1940

Epi ad 1940 Nov
Epiphone Basses
Metronome, Nov 1940

Epi ad 1940 Dec
Nothing but the best
Metronome, Dec 1940

Epi ad 1940
The Finest Instruments Built
Music Trades, Purchaser's, 1940

Epi ad 1940
Epiphone Guitars Can't Be Beat
Music Dictionary, Beihoff, 1940


1941

Epi ad 1941 Jan
Choice Of The Experts...
Metronome, Jan 1941

Epi ad 1941 Mar
The best for the best
Metronome, Mar 1941

Epi ad 1941 Apr
Epiphone Varichord
Metronome, Apr 1941

Epi ad 1941 May
Top Performance!
Metronome, May 1941

Epi ad 1941 Jun
Out Front
Metronome, Jun 1941

Epi ad 1941 Aug
Popular Everywhere
Metronome, Aug 1941

Epi ad 1941 Sep
Follow The Stars...
Metronome, Sep 1941

Epi ad 1941 Oct
Consistently Popular...
Metronome, Oct 1941

Epi ad 1941 Oct
Leaders
Metronome, Oct 1941

Epi ad 1941 Nov
When only the best will do!
Metronome, Nov 1941

Epi ad 1941 Dec
Constant Popularity
Metronome, Dec 1941





1942

Epi ad 1942 Jan
With Guitarists Everywhere...
Metronome, Jan 1942

Epi ad 1942 Feb
The Varichord
Metronome, Feb 1942

Epi ad 1942 Mar
"Top Notch"
Metronome, Mar 1942

Epi ad 1942 Apr
Going Places
Metronome, Apr 1942

Epi ad 1942 Apr
"Best Foot Forward"
International Musician, Mar 1942





1943

Epi Obit 1943 Jul
Epi ... Dies at 49
Metronome, Jul 1943





1947

Epi ad 1947 Sep
Epiphon leads the field!
Metronome, Sep 1947

Epi ad 1947 Dec
It's Out Of This World!
Metronome, Dec 1947


1948

Epi ad 1948 March
Epiphone Has Perfected
Metronome, March/Oct 1948

Epi ad 1948 May
The Tone Spectrum Pick-Up
Metronome, May 1948

Epi ad 1948
Lines Of Least Sales Resistance ...
Music Trades, Purchaser's, 1948





1949

Epi ad 1949 Jan
Epiphone joins Billy Bauer ...
Metronome, Jan 1949

Epi ad 1949 Apr
Epiphone Bass Viol
Metronome, Apr 1949

Epi ad 1949 May
Electric Guitar Combination
Metronome, May 1949

Epi ad 1949 Oct
The Geo. Van Eps Bass Bridge
Metronome, Apr 1949


1950

Epi ad Jan 1950
The Nation's Most Outstanding ...
Metronome, Jan 1950

Epi ad May 1950
Something To Sing About...
Metronome, May 1950

Epi ad 1950 Nov
Zephyr Emperor Vari-Tone
Metronome, Nov 1950





1951

Epi ad 1951 Aug
Here's The Key To The Greatest...
Metronome, Aug 1951

Epi ad 1951 Nov
Epiphone Masterbilt Strings
Metronome, Nov 1951


1954

Epi ad Feb 1954
Epiphone – Since 1873 ...
Metronome, Feb 1954
(Continental Music)

Epi ad Apr 1954
Epiphone – dedicated to the best  Metronome, Apr 1954
(Continental Music)

Epi ad Dec 1954
Harry Volpe ... the Artist plays
International Musician, Dec 1954
(Continental Music)





1955

Epi ad Feb 1955
Harry Volpe ... the Artist plays
Metronome, Feb 1955
(Continental Music)

Epi ad March 1955
Epiphone Harry Volpe Model
DownBeat, Mar 1955
(Continental Music)

April 1955
DeLuxe Cutaway Flat Top Guitar
C&W Jamboree, Apr 1955
(Continental Music)

Epi ad May 1955
Follow The... Vagabonds 
Metronome, May 1955
(Continental Music)

Epi ad Nay 1955
Epiphone Professional Amplifiers
Metronome, May 1955
(Continental Music)





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The companies' names, logos or other products are the trademarks of their respective owners.
Photographs copyright of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2022 Felix Wiedler. All rights reserved.