1973 Martin 5-18 Natural

Cat Stevens - used 1973 Martin 5-18 Terz acoustic guitar, made in USA, ser. no. 323382; Back and sides: mahogany, light surface scratches and minor dings; Top: natural spruce, a few minor dings; Neck: mahogany; Fretboard: rosewood; Frets: tarnishing; Hardware: good; Case: original fitted hard case; Overall condition: good

*The vendor’s father, Thomas Hornsby, was an architect with Keith Harrison and Associates in Camden during the mid-1970s. During this time, he worked closely with Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) on several projects, including renovations to the musician’s home and a major development in Islington. One such project was the St Mary’s Neighbourhood Centre on Upper Street, for which Yusuf Islam generously donated £20,000—a considerable sum at the time.

Photographs show Thomas Hornsby with Yusuf Islam and the then-vicar of St Mary’s Church, Peter Johnston, alongside the vendor as a young child.

In 1977, following his conversion to Islam, Yusuf gifted the vendor a small Martin acoustic guitar in recognition of his early interest in music. Believing it to be a child’s instrument, the vendor’s father inscribed his son’s name on the side of the bridge.

This guitar has remained in the vendor’s family ever since and is now being offered for sale to support the musical aspirations of the vendor’s son—continuing a legacy that began nearly fifty years ago.

Cat Stevens can be seen playing what is believed to be this very guitar—a small Martin model—in the 1976 music video for Banapple Gas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIoUO_3pXwY