The "First" Ukulele
Our friend Shawn from www.ukulelefriend.com has an instrument made by Jose do Espírito Santo that is often called the “first” ‘ukulele. It is difficult to sort out how to pick a “first,” but this one is likely the oldest surviving. Consider the fact that an instrument like this was called a machete when it was made in Madeira. Is it automatically called an ‘ukulele when it is made in Hawaii? Shawn and I have discussed the idea that the transition from machete to ‘ukulele is quite hazy, as materials, design, tuning and ornamentation evolved between 1879 and 1890. In any case, Kilin from the Pacific Strings Museum messaged our group chat about this instrument this weekend, so I thought I would share. To begin with, here is Shawn’s post about it.
It seems that the idea that this was the “first” began with this contest by the Kamaka company in 1956. (1956, May 19. ‘Oldest’ Ukulele Turns Up. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.)
The provenance that it belonged to Princess Ka’iulani led Kilin to look to this well known picture of the Princess from 1884.
The Princess is on the right, her half sister Annie Cleghorn is in the middle and an unidentified woman is on the left. (Tranquada, Jim and King, John. (2012)The Ukulele A History. University of Hawai’i Press; 48-50.) Shawn can trace the provenance of this instrument through a previous owner to the Cleghorn family. (Photo courtesy of Hawaii State Archives)
