Proof of Authenticity - Gibson’s Lost Ledgers
Cherished by guitar legends like Jimmy Page, Joe Perry and Slash, the Gibson Les Paul is an iconic symbol of Rock and Roll.
In the right hands, this instrument can produce a wide variety of tones, from roaring riffs to whisper soft licks, as its versatility matches its iconic status.
Every major guitar manufacturing company has had its ups and downs, but between 1958 and 1960, Gibson enjoyed a golden era where it produced guitars that became some of the most highly sought-after in the world.
These (now) vintage guitars can often cost as much as a house, with a ’59 Les Paul with a flame maple top in excellent condition, potentially costing over $500,000.
However, for decades, Gibson has faced a gaping hole in its historical records - the loss of its 1959-1960 shipping ledgers.
These ledgers contain critical information on some of the most coveted guitars to ever see the light of day and also on some prototype guitars that have remained shrouded in mystery.
Because of the technical specifications contained in these ledgers, which detail design elements of the Les Pauls of that “Golden Age,” such as Brazilian rosewood fretboards, flame maple tops, and nitrocellulose lacquer, which all contributed to their desirability, the ledgers could be instrumental (pun intended) in distinguishing the authentic vintage Les Pauls from the numerous fakes circulating in the market.
In an attempt to reclaim its history, Gibson has initiated a nationwide search for the missing shipping ledgers.
The company is offering a no-questions-asked- reward of $59,000 to anyone who can return the ledgers, along with additional rewards for pre-1970 documents, historical assets, or blueprints on a case-by-case basis.
The contact e-mail for interested parties is: 59Ledger@gibson.com.
Gibson’s CMO, Cesar Gueikian, describes this endeavor as “the search for the holy grail”
With these ledgers restored, the ability to definitively authenticate vintage Les Pauls would be greatly enhanced.
Such a recovery might also shed light on the elusive Gibson Moderne, a curious 1957 prototype guitar that didn’t enter production until 1982.
For musicians like Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who bought his first Les Paul in the 1960s for $65, they have seen the value of these guitars skyrocket.
Joe Bonamassa, a renowned player and collector, recognizes the importance of the ledger's potential role in confirming the authenticity of vintage Les Pauls, as he advises collectors to do their homework before purchasing. For him, the thrill of the hunt for vintage guitars is valuable in and of itself. For such dedicated collectors, this amounts to a never-ending quest, sort of like working for the mafia where once you get it, there aint no getting out.