Preliminary identification

Levin Model W-32 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

A premium Swedish-made dreadnought acoustic guitar featuring a solid spruce top and high-grade rosewood back and sides.

Story

In 1973, the legendary American guitar maker C.F. Martin & Co. was so impressed by the craftsmanship coming out of a small factory in Gothenburg, Sweden, that they bought the entire company.

Maker / Origin

Herman Carlson Levin founded his workshop in 1900 after honing his craft in New York's guitar district. By the mid-20th century, Levin had become Europe's premier luthier, famous for using naturally…

Condition & Value

The guitar appears to be in well-loved, playable condition with original hardware. There is visible surface wear consistent with age, and the bridge pins appear to be a mix of original and replacements. The top shows beautiful ambering of the lacquer, which is highly prized by collectors.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Build on this identification

Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.

Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps

Regional auction

· Jun 2024

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

$1,280

SOLD

Dealer archive

· Mar 2024

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

$1,450

SOLD

Marketplace sale

· Jan 2024

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

$980

SOLD

Estate platform

· Oct 2023

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

$1,150

SOLD

Auction result

· Aug 2023

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.

$1,375

SOLD