My wife's parents sent us an old ukelele that had belonged to her Aunt Ida. It's a beautiful instrument and appears to be very well made. I am trying to find out as much as I can about it.

Inside the body it says:

Lyon & Healy
Makers
Chicago USA

The number 7189 is stamped inside where the neck joins the body.

On the back of the headstock is imprinted the number 700 and below that is branded (appears to be burnt and embossed) Pat. Apld For, and below that, "Washburn."

Pat. Apld For also appears in very tiny letters on the bridge.

Lyon & Healy says that they sold everything but the harp business to CBS over 30 years ago and they have no information left. A quick look at CBS has so far turned up nothing, so I'm getting my Mudcat friends involved in the search.

I'll continue to pursue any avenues that occur to me, but I would greatly appreciate any help that anyone can give me.

jeffp