Knutsen Seattle Harp Guitar HGS25

This is a wonderful find, and is unique in so many ways!
First, and most obvious, it's a left-handed guitar (and lefty harp guitars look so much stranger because of the arm switching sides!).
Next, is the rare, unusual "Double Point" body - one of only four known.
Then the size, and scale length (probably 19", the standard 3/4 size), which puts the bridge all the way up to the soundhole(?!) on this parlor-sized instrument.
And once again Knutsen's strange stringing arrangement - seven strings on the neck, with the "g" string doubled.
And finally, as ungainly and strange as it first appears, it's a gorgeous, very fancy instrument - wonderful inlay and trim throughout. Note the herringbone strip on the back of the neck, with an extra inlay accent at the end!

11/2002: Tragically, this instrument was recently destroyed in a fire at the shop where it was on display.

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number		HGS25
Category		Seattle Harp Guitars
Body Style		"Double Point"
Current or last known owner		Bischofberger Violin Shop
Year (approx)		1906-1908
Label		C. Knutsen Sole Patentee of the Harp guitar with 11 strings. The five extra bass strings are tuned to D, C, B, A and G one octave lower than regular pitch.
Label Code		SE1
Courses / Strings		18 course: 7 strings on neck (G doubled), 5 bass, 7 treble
Frets		straight
Scale length		~19"
Neck Joint		no heel
Woods	Top	spruce?
	Back & Sides	unknown
	Neck	unknown
	Fingerboard	unknown
	Bridge	unknown
	Headstock veneer	unknown
Binding, trim	Top	fancy wood purfling, ivoroid?
	Back	fancy wood purfling, ivoroid?
	Fingerboard	ivoroid?
	Headstock(s)	ivoroid?
	Soundhole	3 multi-colored rings
Inlay		very fancy pearl fret markers and headstock inlay, wood and pearl inlay in back of neck
Pickguard		none
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