Close-up #43: "E"-logo cases and their manufacturers 1939–1956
Epiphone was a pioneer in having their instrument cases branded with their logo – a letter "E" embossed in the lining of the lid –, first announced in the 1939 catalog (see picture below). Let's have a closer look at these beautiful cases and their details. Note that only hardshell cases had the "E"-logo – while the cheaper chipboard cases were not Epiphone-branded, and are not discussed here.
What I try to figure out in this excercise: Can we pin down any pattern regarding manufacturers, case models/sizes and time periods?
A note on "originality"
Vintage guitars are often described as having an "original case". But what does "original" really mean? Cases wear out and tend to get replaced during the lifetime of an instrument – often by another older case that fits the instrument. So when an old Epiphone guitar comes with an old "E"-logo case, the two items may actually have been combined later in their life – i.e.: while the case is a vintage original Epiphone item, it may not be the one the guitar was originally sold with. Quite often a closer look reveals that an instrument and its case may be from slightly different periods.
Another "originality" question: What about 1939–1956 Epiphone instruments housed in a period case without "E"-logo? Non-original case? Not necessarily: From what we know, cases were usually sold by music stores as a separate accessory – and often an Epiphone retailer may also have carried other case model lines than the "E"-logo versions recommended by the instrument manufacturer. So when a 1940–50s Epiphone instrument comes in a period hardshell case without "E"-logo, it may still be the very case it was originally sold with by the dealer.
Such caveats have to be taken into account – also when dating a case based on the instrument it came with.
Case options – sizes and time periods
When the "E"-logo cases were introduced in the 1939 catalog, they were offered in an almost confusing variety:
Although not every listed case option was available for every instrument type/size, until the mid-1940s buyers of acoustic Epiphone models typically had the choice between several differently priced "E"-logo hard shell cases. Below an overview – based on catalogs/pricelists and documented examples in my image library:
Guitar cases
- Genuine leather covered cases / deluxe cases: Cases with genuine leather covering were available in size 18" (No.
115, included with Emperor model until 1941, later sold separately, see catalog picture below), and in size 17" (No. 985, introduced 1941). Interior lining was plush with neck rest at headstock, typically form-fitted around the heel.
After WW2, the genuine leather covered models were discontinued and replaced by deluxe cases with imitation leather covering made of "keratol" (textile fabric coated with linseed oil and celluloid) – the standard material used also for cheaper cases.
These deluxe cases in sizes 18" (No. 110, introduced 1946) and 17" (No. 105, introduced 1948) typically had plush lining, neck rest block, draw catches, and by 1948 featured a lid with stitched valance.
Above: No. 115 case, 18", genuine leather covered, plush lining, neck rest at headstock, form-fitted around heel, draw catches/lock (with 1939 Emperor); manufactured by Lifton; note "E"-logo in upper bout of lid.
Above: No. 110 case, 18", keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at heel (with 1946 Emperor); manufactured by Geib; note "E"-logo in upper bout of lid.
Above: No. 105 case, 17", alligator-style keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at headstock, stitched lid valance, draw catches/lock (with 1950 Zephyr DeLuxe Regent); manufactured by Harptone; note "E"-logo in waist area of the lid.
Above: No. 105 case, 17", alligator-style keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at headstock, stitched lid valance, draw catches (with 1949 Triumph); manufactured by Frost & Stone; note "E"-logo in waist area of the lid.
- "Professional" cases: Imitation leather covered; the 1939 and 1942 catalogs described nickel-plated draw catches and draw lock; postwar examples typically had spring catches and spring lock. Most examples feature a neck rest block – placed either at the headstock or near the heel, depending on year and manufacturer. Exception: typically no neck rest in the mid-to-late 1940s.
The better version had plush lining, available for 17", 16" and FT Jumbo guitars (No. 885/884/855). These are the most common Epiphone hardshell cases of the 1940–50s era.
A cheaper variant with flannel fleece lining (No. 785 in 17" size only) was short-lived and discontinued by 1941.
Above: No. 885 case, 17", keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at headstock, draw catches/lock (with 1939 Triumph); manufactured by Lifton; note "E"-logo in upper bout of lid.
Above: No. 884 case, 16", keratol covered, plush lining, no neck rest, spring catches/lock (with 1948 Blackstone); manufactured by Harptone; note "E"-logo in waist area of lid.
- "Masterbilt" cases: Imitation leather covered, featuring spring catches/lock, no neck rest block – less expensive than "Professional" case models.
The better version was lined with crushed (curly) plush, available for 17", 16", 15" archtop (No. 685/684/683) and flattop/Hawaiian acoustic guitars (No. 755/637/627/HA2).
The cheaper version was lined with flannel fleece, available for 17", 16", 15" archtop (No. 585/584/583) and all flattop/Hawaiian acoustic guitars (No. 655/537/527/HA1).
"Masterbilt" cases were discontinued by 1945.
Above: No. 685 case, 17", keratol covered, crushed plush lining, no neck rest (came with 1940 Triumph); manufactured by Lifton; "E"-logo in upper bout of lid (hard to see in the curly plush, but you feel the embossed logo when touching).
Above: No. 583 case, 15", keratol covered, fleece lining, no neck rest (with 1944 Olympic); manufactured by Lifton; note "E"-logo in upper bout of lid.
After WW2, Epiphone significantly reduced their case lines: Just one plush-lined hardshell "E"-logo case model each was offered for most guitar sizes – 18" archtop (No. 110, deluxe features), 16" archtop (No. 884), and Jumbo flattop (No. 855). Only exception: For 17" archtops there was a choice between two cases models – No. 885 and the more deluxe No. 105 (stitched valance, draw catches).
Above: Case models in the 1953 price list.
Mandolin cases
For mandolin models with teardrop or two-point body shape, cases with plush lining (No. 632) and fleece lining (No. 532) were offered. For the high-end models with scroll body, there was a choice between two oblong deluxe cases with form-fitted interior – No. 830 with plush lining and draw locks (see 1939 catalog picture below), and the cheaper No. 831 with crushed plush/spring locks.
By the end of WW2, all mandolins were discontinued; when some models were relaunched in 1949, only the plush-lined case No. 632 was available – now without "E"-logo under the lid.
Above: No. 831 case, keratol covered, form-fitted interior, crushed plush lining, spring locks (with 1940 Windsor); manufactured by Lifton; the "E"-logo is hard to see in the curly plush.
Above: No. 532 case, keratol covered, fleece lining, no neck rest (with 1940 Adelphi); manufactured by Lifton.
Electric instrument cases
Until 1941, Epiphone electric instruments were sold with the case included (see 1939 catalog picture below). "E"-logo cases for electric guitars, banjos, lap steels etc. were listed without a model number in catalogs. Cases for electric archtops were the same as for acoustic archtops. By 1949, all lap steel cases lacked the "E"-logo in the lining.
Above: Lap steel case, alligator-style keratol covered, plush lining (with 1941 Zephyr Hawaiian); manufactured by Lifton.
Above: Lap steel case, alligator-style keratol covered, fleece lining (with 1946 Century Hawaiian); manufactured by Geib.
Above: "Masterbilt" series banjo case, keratol covered, fleece lining, no neck rest (with 1940 Zephyr Tenor Banjo); manufactured by Lifton.
"E"-logo cases by manufacturer
Like most other musical instrument makers, Epiphone didn't build any cases in-house, but commissioned them from a number of specialized manufacturers who also served other instrument companies such as Gibson, Martin, Gretsch, Vega, National, etc. This topic is being discussed in the highly recommended Vintage Musical Instrument Cases FB group – an invaluable source for the identification of case manufacturers. A big thank you to Steve Kirtley for his groundbreaking musical instrument case research.
Our research has found that Epiphone commissioned their “E”-logo cases from four different American case manufacturers: Lifton, Geib, Harptone and Frost & Stone. Lifton was the primary supplier for Epiphone, producing cases of every available type/size over the entire 1939-56 period. The other three companies were additional suppliers – each making “E”-logo cases in only one or two popular guitar sizes during a certain period. (More details see below in the sections about each case company.)How can the manufacturer of a case be identified? Often a rather difficult task, because only few “E”-logo cases carry a logo badge or label of the manufacturing company. For the majority of cases, the manufacturer can only be identified based on construction features and details that are typical for each maker – such as the mould shape of the arched case lid, and details of neck rest, pocket hinge, lining seams, metal hardware, etc.
.
Above: Identification guide for typical lid mould shapes of case companies (source: Steve Kirtley). However note that manufacturers varied their mould shapes over the years.
The imitation leather coverings of cases show a variety of colors (from tan to brown to black) and patterns (described in catalogs as “alligator-grained”, “imitation pigskin”, etc.). Even more color variations are seen in the interior lining material (plush, flannel fleece) – apart from the popular pink we find orange, red, green, blue, purple etc. Since most manufacturers used similar covering and lining variations through the years, these don't help very much with their identification.
One detail specific to Epiphone cases: While comparing the "E"-logos in the lid lining, we noticed that certain details in their shape and position seem to be typical for each case manufacturer – thus helping their identification:
Above: "E"-logo in cases made by Lifton; slim horseshoe shape with fairly long crossbar end protruding at the left; positioned in the upper bout of the lid.
Above: "E"-logo in cases made by Geib; pronounced, bold horseshoe shape with short crossbar end at the left; mostly positioned in the upper bout of the lid, occasionally in the waist.
Above: "E"-logo in cases made by Harptone; circular shape with short crossbar end at the left; positioned in the waist area of the lid.
Above: "E"-logo in cases made by Frost & Stone; circular shape with very small aperture, curved ends almost touching crossbar; positioned in the waist area of the lid.
Below a summary of my findings regarding manufacturers of the “E”-logo cases (1939–56), based on documented instruments in the Registry database and my photo library:
1. Lifton Mfg. Co.
The Lifton Manufacturing Company, founded 1918 in NYC (factory located in Brooklyn NY by 1920), became a case supplier for Epiphone around 1935.
The vast majority of "E"-logo cases can be identified as made by this company: Lifton-made Epiphone hardshell cases are found with instruments over the entire 1939–56 period – in all guitar sizes (18", 17", 16", 15", FT/Hawaiian models) and for other instrument types (mandolins, lap steels, banjos). Notably, all the less expensive cases with crushed plush or fleece lining (“Masterbilt” models, until 1945) appear to be made by Lifton.
Note: Until the mid-1940s, Lifton-made Epiphone cases have the neck rest at the headstock (if case model has a neck rest). After 1949 the neck rest is in the heel position. The hinge of the case pocket lid is always placed opposite the neck rest.
Above: No. 855 case, 16" FT, keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at heel (with 1955 FT 110); manufactured by Lifton; this example with Lifton badge on the neck rest block; note "8" shape of lid arch; on Lifton cases the "E"-logo is positioned in the upper bout of the lid.
2. Geib, Inc.
Since the 1920s, some hardshell cases for Epiphone instruments were manufactured by the Geib & Schaefer company – founded 1899 in Chicago IL and renamed Geib, Inc. by 1937.
Geib seem to have made "E"-logo cases mostly in the large 18" archtop guitar size, starting around 1946. Additionally, some "E"-logo cases for lap steels appear to have been made by Geib from 1946 until c. 1948.
Note: Geib-made Epiphone cases have a neck rest in the heel position. The hinge of the pocket lid is placed opposite the neck rest. Geib cases often have a pronounced wide-waist shape.
3. Harptone Mfg. Co. ("Bull's Head" brand)
The "Bull's Head" brand of instrument cases goes back to the Maulbetsch & Whittemore Company, founded 1886 in Newark NJ. By 1929 the Harptone Mfg. Co., based in Newark NJ, became the owner of the "Bull's Head" brand.
Epiphone had used "Bull's Head" cases since the 1920s. Harptone-made "E"-logo cases are commonly seen with instruments from around 1948 until the mid-‘50s – in sizes 17" and 16".
Note: Starting around 1950, Harptone-made Epiphone cases have a neck rest at the headstock. The hinge of the pocket lid is placed next to the neck rest.
Above: No. 884 case, 16", keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at headstock, draw catches; manufactured by Harptone, early 1950s; note triangular shape of lid arch. On Harptone cases the "E"-logo is placed in the waist area of the lid.
This is one of only a few known examples bearing a label at the middle hinge with Harptone's "Bull's Head" logo and claim "The Standard of Musicians for Over 60 Years" – referring to the brand's start in 1886.
Interestingly, these few examples all show the same unusual features: heavy-duty draw catches/lock and a different case shape to accomodate an additional, middle hinge (not
present on a standard No. 884 case). We have seen these cases typically housing 1951
Zenith archtops with a "U.S.N." stencil mark on their back – it looks like the Navy had ordered custom cases with extra-robust features!
4. Frost & Stone
Case manufacturer Frost & Stone was founded in 1912 by business partners Max Frost and Abraham Stone in NYC, later located in Brooklyn NY. When the partnership was dissolved in June 1954, a business named "Stone Case Co." continued to make guitar cases.
"E"-logo cases with features unique to Frost & Stone show up with guitars from c. 1949 until the mid-'50s – typically in size 17" only.
Note: Epiphone cases made by Frost & Stone have a neck rest at the headstock. The hinge of the pocket lid is placed next to the neck rest.
Interestingly, Frost & Stone used Epiphone's idea of an embossed logo under the lid also in their cases for Gretsch (letter "G") and Vega (letter "V"). While some of these cases feature a Frost & Stone badge inside, we have not seen such a badge in any of their "E"-logo cases for Epiphone.
Above: No. 885 case, 17", keratol covered, plush lining, neck rest at headstock (with 1951 Zephyr DeLuxe Regent); manufactured by Frost & Stone; the
distinctive low-profile neck rest at the headstock is unique to
this maker; note "8" shape of lid arch (somewhat similar to Lifton). On Frost & Stone cases the "E"-logo is positioned in the waist area of the lid.
"E"-logo case models at a glance
| Size | No. | Years | Typical features | Typ. manufacturers |
| 18" | 115 | 1939–46 | genuine leather | Lifton |
| 18" | 110 | 1946–56 | stitched valance by '49 | Lifton, Geib |
| 17" | 105 | 1948–56 | stitched valance | Lifton, Harptone, Frost & Stone |
| 17" | 985 | 1941–45 | genuine leather | Lifton |
| 17" | 885 | 1939–56 | plush | Lifton, Harptone, Frost & Stone |
| 17" | 785 | 1939–41 | fleece, neck rest | Lifton |
| 17" | 685 | 1939–45 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| 17" | 585 | 1939–45 | fleece, no neck rest | Lifton |
| 16" | 884 | 1939–56 | plush | Lifton, Harptone |
| 16" | 684 | 1939–45 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| 16" | 584 | 1939–45 | fleece | Lifton |
| 15" | 683 | 1939–45 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| 15" | 583 | 1939–45 | fleece | Lifton |
| FT 16" | 855 | 1939–56 | plush | Lifton |
| FT 16" | 755 | 1939–45 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| FT 16" | 655 | 1939–45 | fleece | Lifton |
| FT 15" | 637 | 1939–45 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| FT 15" | 537 | 1939–45 | fleece | Lifton |
| FT 14" | 627 | 1939–45 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| FT 14" | 527 | 1939–45 | fleece | Lifton |
| Haw 16" | HA2 | 1939–41 | crushed plush | Lifton |
| Haw 16" | HA1 | 1939–41 | fleece | Lifton |
| Mando | 830 | 1939–42 | oblong, plush | Lifton |
| Mando | 831 | 1939–42 | oblong, crushed plush | Lifton |
| Mando | 632 | 1939–45 | plush | Lifton |
| Mando | 532 | 1939–45 | fleece | Lifton |
| Electric | - | 1939–42 | fleece | Lifton |
| Banjo | - | 1939–42 | fleece | Lifton |
| Steel | - | 1939–42 | plush | Lifton |
| Steel | - | 1946–48 | fleece | Geib |
More info and pics about individual case models on the Models
page.
Note: This overview is subject to updates whenever new evidence surfaces.
(Dec 13, 2018 – with later updates)