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Islander Uke

Front view of a ukulele showing the four strings. Front view of a ukulele showing the four strings. Rear view of a ukulele showing the mottled colouring. Rear view of a ukulele showing the mottled colouring. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Closeview of a ukulele showing the head. Close view of a ukulele showing the hollow body. Close view of a ukulele showing the saddle. Close view of a ukulele showing the injection gate. Side view of a ukulele showing the packaging. Top view of a ukulele showing the curved body. Top view of a ukulele showing the chordmaster. Side view of a ukulele showing
Front view of a ukulele showing the four strings. Front view of a ukulele showing the four strings. Rear view of a ukulele showing the mottled colouring. Rear view of a ukulele showing the mottled colouring. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Side view of a ukulele showing the depth of the body. Closeview of a ukulele showing the head. Close view of a ukulele showing the hollow body. Close view of a ukulele showing the saddle. Close view of a ukulele showing the injection gate. Side view of a ukulele showing the packaging. Top view of a ukulele showing the curved body. Top view of a ukulele showing the chordmaster. Side view of a ukulele showing

Classification

Description

A ukulele designed and developed by Mario Maccaferri in the United States of America in 1959. Constructed from eight separately moulded parts made from polystyrene , the ukulele features moulded fingerboard frets and uses DuPont nylon strings. It has a cream coloured front and red marbled back. Retailing at $5.95, the instrument sold more than nine million by 1969 when Maccaferri sold his business to a rival company. Sales were promoted by a popular radio and TV personalilty of the day and talented ukulele player Arthur Godfrey. This example is boxed and is accompanied by AIBDC : 007874.2 a visual chordmaster.
Designers & Manufacturers
Designer (Person)
Maccaferri, Mario
Manufacturer
French American Reeds

Inscriptions

printed: "ISLANDER. Patents Pend. Designed by Maccaferri" (headstock)

Object number

AIBDC : 007874.1

Date

1959 (circa)

Country

USA

Method

injection moulded
body
extruded
strings

Material

plastic
PS body
polystyrene
PA strings
polyamide
nylon
Dimensions
Width
160mm
Depth
55mm
Length
535mm

Colour

cream
red