| Genre | Patent Drawing |
| Artist | T.M. McCarty |
| Subject | Electric guitar patent design |
| Circa | 1955 |
| Medium | Giclée on 325gsm archival matte |
Guitar Patent Print T M McCartyT.M. McCarty · c. 1955
Archive Print Co. · archival reproduction
We restore and reproduce forgotten masterworks of graphic design on museum-grade paper — so they can live on your walls instead of in an archive.
The Story Behind the Print
This vintage patent drawing captures Theodore M. McCarty's 1955 design for what would become the legendary Gibson Les Paul guitar. As Gibson's president, McCarty revolutionized electric guitar construction with this solid-body design, creating an instrument that would define rock and blues for generations.
Filed during the height of America's post-war boom, this patent represents a pivotal moment when electric guitars were transforming popular music. McCarty's technical innovation—eliminating the hollow body that caused feedback—gave musicians like Chuck Berry and later Jimmy Page the sustain and power that would become rock's signature sound.
The precise technical drawings showcase the craftsmanship behind one of music's most iconic inventions, making this patent blueprint art perfect for musicians, inventors, and vintage wall art enthusiasts alike.
Printed on 325gsm museum-grade archival matte paper using giclée printing with archival inks for lasting color and detail.
Colors may vary slightly between screens and the finished piece — the print will always be richer.
From a Collector
“Third order from Archive Print Co. The paper weight, the linework — it’s the real thing. Framed it in dark walnut. Looks like it’s been hanging in a gallery for decades.”
James K. — Verified Collector
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