"The Bouncing Flea".

This super rare Martin 5K Ukulele weighs less than one pound. The length of the body is 9 1/4 inches, the width is 6 1/8 inches and the depth is 2 1/8 inches. The top, back and sides are Hawaiian Koa The top and back of the instrument feature an elaborate seven-ply binding of white and black ivory celluloid and a band of mother-of-pearl. The sound-hole has an eight-ply ring of white and black ivory celluloid and mother-of-pearl. One-piece mahogany neck with a scale length of 13 3/4 inches, a nut width of 1 3/8 inches and a medium neck profile. Koa peghead veneer with pearl inlaid 'flowerpot' scroll. Four individual 'friction' pegs with oval ivory buttons. Ivory celluloid bound ebony fretboard with seventeen original thin frets and elaborate pearl position markers. Fixed Hawaiian Koa tailpiece with bone bridge saddle. On the fifth fret , one of the shaped pearl inlays is missing, as is a tiny piece of pearl from the bass waist on the top. There is some light surface wear on the treble side by the neck (just where you would expect it!) otherwise this nearly ninety year old, top-of-the-line Ukulele is in exceptionally fine (9.00) condition. The number "21G552" is stamped into the treble top-edge of the headstock. Housed in it's original Martin 'Violin' style three-latch shaped black hardshell case with padded purple felt lining (9.00). We date this rare Ukulele as 1922. According to Mike Longworth's reference book on Martin instruments, the original 'friction' tuning pegs (as on this example) were replaced in 1923 with 'Patent' tuning pegs. It is unusual to find one of these in all original condition without any repaired grain cracks.