Thanks for the feedback.
The distinction between the Boston store (Oliver Ditson) and the New York store (Chas. H. Ditson) would be a good topic to expand in the future. My personal focus is on the "Ditson Model" or dreadnought shaped ukuleles which were specifically for the New York store. I love the chubby shape and the sound. The Boston ones are harder to find and maybe that's why I don't have one yet.
The same stamp of the parent company was used on the Boston and New York ukuleles. To confuse matters slightly, the New York store would also buy standard Martin models on occasion. It is not always clear whether these were stamped Martin or stamped Ditson.
Boston - Oliver Ditson Co.
-didn't start buying Martin ukes until 1918
-standard Martin shape
-bought a lot less than the New York store (so they are more rare)
-stamped with the same Oliver Ditson Co New York Boston stamp
New York - Chas. H. Ditson
-started buying ukes from Martin in late 1915
-standard Martin shape until around fall of 1916
-dreadnought shape begins and forms the bulk of orders
-would still sometimes order standard shaped ukuleles if requested by customer or if Martin could not fill orders quickly with Ditson Model
-bought a larger quantity of ukuleles than Boston
Click here to see an order slip from the Martin archives, Chas. Ditson sent this slip of paper to Martin to order some Style 2 and Style 3 ukuleles. The "D.M." abbreviation stands for Ditson Model so we know these were dreadnoughts.
Fabulous reply, Tshark. Thank you. Particularly, I appreciate the information about the stamp, and about the timeline of both Oliver and Charles store.
I have a suggestion, and that is all it is: a suggestion. It is your website, and that is fabulous.
The suggestion is, rather than limiting the focus to dreadnaught Ditsons, open it to all Ditsons (a rather esoteric niche, even when all inclusive...lol). While I understand and appreciate your passion for dreadnaught "Ditson model" Martins, there is much overlap between all Ditsons that it can get confusing. Example: on your website now, under Intro, "What Makes a Ditson Ukulele special?" (note, the title does not say "Ditson-model special"; the Ditson model is mentioned in the prose, but may remain obscure to a new reader as the only photos shown on your website are dreadnaughts) and the section immediately goes on to mention dreadnaught, as if they all were such.
As a reference website, one would hope it to be encyclopedic about its topic. But as written, and with exclusively dread photos, it would lead one to believe that all Ditsons were Charles Ditson dreads, when, in fact, there exist Martin-shaped Ditsons. Brother Oliver is feeling slighted and turning in his grave!
I think all-inclusive might be more beneficial for users of your website (those doing research, those interested in buying/selling, those checking rarity, etc.). Adding to the confusion, you have photos of Oliver's Boston store, yet none of the Martin-style Ditsons sold by that store. Certainly, adding the history and timeline (and maybe even the tallies, referencing the book of Mr. Walsh, who is one of your site contributors) for Chas and Oliver, dreads and non-dreads, seems worthy. Comprehensive clarity would be a huge benefit to ukulele players who spot a Ditson and look it up online.
These are simply suggestions, and regardless of your choice, great reading and photos...love those vintage photos of the Ditson factories and uke builders. Lovely, Tiger, lovely! I do plan to check into your website to see what is brewing. A labor of love. Thank you for it.
PS If this is Americano, from FSFH, hi! I, honestly, resurrected that Ditson-model thread BEFORE I came here to UU and found yours...honestly, that is weird. I just saw you (or someone like you) posted there and the Edison bulb went off in my head.