[slopeB]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to find out the origin of the star and moon (or star and crescent) headstock inlay on very early Gibson guitars & mandolins. Why did Orville use this particular symbol? All I have found is a vague reference on the web that said he got the inlays from "a Turkish supplier in the area." I know this symbol is often associated with Turkey and Islam. However, it is a very old symbol and has been used in many context over the years. But why was this particular symbol used for the headstock inlay? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[cunningham26]

From Fox's website, third paragraph from the bottom right


Other's may have dug deeper and can elaborate further on the history. I'm going to apply occam's razor and say he just liked the way it looked when they showed up from the supplier. Maybe, since he was already using scrap wood for material, those were just the cheapest inlays available.

[jt]

Yes, AFAIK that Henry Dornbush article is the best information available. Dornbush is the only contemporary of Orville's to publish his recollections.

[bohemian]

Much like Martin and the holy grail adirondack tops, local and cheap.

The inlays were made by loacl Turks.. hence stars and moons.