Case, guitar case

The 'English guitar' was popular in London's drawing rooms in the second half of the 18th century. This guitar is thought to have belonged to Lady Emma Hamilton who is famous for being the mistress of Horatio Nelson.

Guitars of this type were easy to play as they could be tuned to an open chord. The attached box marked 'Smith's Patent' contains six hammers, one for each string. When the player pressed a key, the corresponding hammer would strike the string producing a note. As players were typically women, this was regarded as more lady-like than strumming the guitar strings. Each of the strings was tuned using a key mechanism on the headstock rather than pegs. The notes 'C-E-G-C-E-G' are engraved above the tuners.

The maker, John Preston, began his business in a workshop on Long Acre. In around 1775 he moved to new premises on The Strand. He went into partnership with his son Thomas in 1789. After John Preston's death in 1798, his son continued the family business. The Prestons were both instrument makers and retailers.