# The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn

Guitar: The Martin Archives is a Hal Leonard hardcover by Jim Washburn about the history of C.F. Martin & Co. Its scrapbook-style presentation combines historical writing with reproduced documents, photographs, correspondence, and pocketed memorabilia, making it particularly suited to readers who enjoy archival material as much as narrative.

- [Original product page](https://best-deals.pro/product/the-martin-archives-guitar-history-hardcover)
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- Market: US
- Language: en-US
- Currency: USD
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 32.31 USD
- Previous price: 45.00 USD
- Discount: 28%
- Price checked: 2026-11-14T05:54:20.803Z
- Rating: 4.8 / 5
- Reviews: 98

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## At a glance

- Covers the history of C.F. Martin & Co., with reproduced documents, vintage photographs, artist correspondence, and historical records.
- The listing describes memorabilia tucked into pockets, including company records, artist letters, a D-45 purchase order, and a handwritten company history.
- Large-format hardcover presentation is designed for browsing archival images and reproductions as well as reading.

## Pros

- Archival reproductions and pocketed memorabilia offer a tactile alternative to a text-only guitar history.
- Focused on C.F. Martin & Co., making the subject clear for Martin guitar enthusiasts and collectors.
- Customer feedback describes the content as informative and engaging, including historical details and trivia.

## Cons

- At 104 pages, it is a compact history rather than a lengthy reference work.
- The listed dimensions and weight suggest a substantial book better suited to browsing at home than carrying as a small portable read.

## Specifications

### Publication details
- Publisher: Hal Leonard
- Author: Jim Washburn
- Publication date: October 1, 2016
- Edition: First Edition
- Language: English
- Print length: 104 pages
- ISBN-13: 978-1495013041
### Dimensions and installation
- Weight listed: 2.9 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 1.5 x 9.25 inches

## Before you buy

- The book is presented as a scrapbook-style history, not a guitar repair manual or playing-method guide. The listing does not confirm the condition or completeness of the reproduced inserts in any particular copy.

## A good fit for

- Martin guitar fans interested in company history and archival documents.
- Collectors seeking a visually oriented hardcover about acoustic guitar heritage.
- Gift buyers looking for a guitar-history book for an enthusiast.

## Less suited to

- Readers seeking step-by-step guitar maintenance or playing instruction.
- Buyers who want a broad history of guitar makers rather than a book focused on C.F. Martin & Co.

## Customer feedback

Customer feedback highlights the book’s historical content, describing it as enjoyable and rich in information and trivia about Martin guitars. That focus fits the archival, 104-page hardcover format, but the supplied feedback does not establish that every reader will prefer its scrapbook-style presentation.
- Positive themes: Customer feedback describes the content as informative and enjoyable.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is The Martin Archives about?
It explores the history of C.F. Martin & Co. through writing and reproduced records, photographs, correspondence, and memorabilia.
### Does the book include physical inserts?
The listing describes reproduced memorabilia tucked into pockets within the book, including records and letters. It does not provide a separate package inventory.
### Is this a guitar instruction or repair book?
No. The supplied description presents it as a company-history and archival scrapbook, not a playing or repair guide.
### How large is the book?
The listing gives dimensions of 12.5 x 1.5 x 9.25 inches and a listed weight of 2.9 pounds.

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- [C.F. Martin & Co.](https://best-deals.pro/visit/the-martin-archives-guitar-history-hardcover)
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## Add-ons

- [Martin Guitars: A History \| Guitar Reference Book for Musicians Collectors and Historians \| Hardcover Music Guide Featuring Photos Stories and Craftsmanship \| Acoustic and Electric Guitar Legacy Book](https://best-deals.pro/visit/the-martin-archives-guitar-history-hardcover)
- [C.F. Martin & Co. \(Images of America\)](https://best-deals.pro/visit/the-martin-archives-guitar-history-hardcover)

## Images

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 1](https://best-deals.pro/i/UNpRgQOCDWrqoaDnvKb62I-aXQ-z8rgoHFvMGpbsBZBYVE9OKLsOhYIG7RsOSpR9BHXAZ9UiMNANVeM8Z3flxd9KAy7xgKn3V9ZbaEslGSVJq01Zn_La.jpg)

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 2](https://best-deals.pro/i/TjVRBpgR0nJamiMUGbAmQG6sTpSjfm82LeAMBxh6lCwShJPA1YC073HfQuKuOuxM4uLjRdrwZHkSA7cWw4aGx6-MrdjryIntCTuEmgWcja5L1f4SMpDd.jpg)

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 3](https://best-deals.pro/i/xjZ9MVFkuUkx48HuUzz0d89tyA5NZ_l8phUZuxnmhokW2s4aTFKvQhV07LHreZZoKMs4XPElAIlh_vR_OvhLwEesKGw9gB2UU_NFbk7dlg.jpg)

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 4](https://best-deals.pro/i/oUDd88jY3atQqwJgw7CkDFS08u_MCzQJ2NXvGdYtIx-BGKW7amsffqx3WLDMopdx3NktG2SRUzDkvq-3wJhwz3MFvy03HjU0yBTYCiA8_A.jpg)

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 5](https://best-deals.pro/i/dPcSYM5SFqb40MuuY4dIvepAXBSBZSntQYLG4vjeM8DLEyCVd4HMCZaXnuRqf0R8MKaNNEUPSPlP6R2mLtBDAenHgPQrEdpOR02Zi8iGGw.jpg)

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 6](https://best-deals.pro/i/j8LMs0ZJ0kovYb82_8X4hxnzpJcOn52gzqrmpBQSzL6TpsoO7QPCYjms3ArylxpC9a8gk91dREDoWJA44Ic5ZB92tjeKS8m4QKWaBxHDLw.jpg)

![The Martin Archives: Guitar History Hardcover by Jim Washburn — 7](https://best-deals.pro/i/oNLcD30-guM8CPa6qToXjlbjIVqbj6ZjveNu6s2RECy1--A1yaaoXKqLHJUivuNCcpVFhs0P9Dft-bEnXB6rRwqm8eFzeGt4uy1aMrNR6Q.jpg)