I have an L5CES, s/n A-10102, which seems to be from about April 1952. It was my father’s guitar and he purchased it as a new guitar from the Canadian distributor in Toronto in 1955. The three year gap is a bit of a mystery that I would like to solve. I have tried unsuccessfully many times to find out when the guitar actually left the factory and to whom it was shipped. Gibson wasn’t helpful when I asked them, even though they obviously have the 1952 shipping ledger (there is a YouTube video, below, showing it on display at a NAMM show) . Unfortunately, the video is focused on a date in May of that year, as that was when the first Les Paul was shipped. If anyone has access to the ledger or shipping details for my guitar, I would greatly appreciate any information.
thanks,
Keith