A wonderful example of a mid '30s Martin! This 1935 is one fantastic sounding D-18 with a dry tone and great projection. The guitar previously belonged to Harmie Smith. In the mid fifties Harmie sold the guitar to his longtime friend Tillman Franks who owned it until his passing in 2006.
"Harmie Smith was "The Ozark Mountaineer" and quite a veteran of hillbilly music, having already been active for 23 years when we find out about him in a 1953 article. He began his career on the USA's second oldest radio station, WSAZ in Huntington, West Virginia. He was said to have appeared in just about every one of the 48 states back then and on several radio stations. He was one of the first stars of KWKH's Lousiana Hayride. And became a good friend of Hank Williams during one of Hank's stints there and did personal appearances with Hank throughout the southwest back then." - Hillbilly-Music.com
This guitar was re-topped and received a new bridge by Martin post-1945. Its top was also refinished but it features its original finish on the back and sides. Other repairs and modifications to note include a neck reset, re-fret, bridge re-glue, replaced tuners, and a new nut/saddle.