We are delighted to announce that James Westbrook has been awarded the 2025 Nicholas Bessaraboff prize by the American Musical Instrument Society for his book Guitar Making in Nineteenth-Century London. This prize is awarded annually for the most distinguished book-length publication on musical instruments written in English. 

The citation reads:A masterful accomplishment that testifies to a lifetime dedicated to the guitar, this book provides the reader insight into the most productive era of British guitar making. The author’s meticulous attention to organological detail attests to his expertise, illustrated by the book’s 370 color pictures. The book’s directory of London-based guitar makers sets a new standard for encyclopedic compendia of makers. This book is sure to become the standard reference on nineteenth-century London guitar making.