Your ukulele is definitely a Lyon and Healy Camp Uke. I would like to find out more about this uke if it is possible. The two things that I find the most unique about it are the round body and the rounded back. The bridge doesn't appear to be original, there are a few small cracks in the sound board, and there is a water mark on the side, but other than that it is in good condition. I have seen photos of similar Camp Ukes, but none with the gold leaves on it. I have done some research and although I was not able to find much, I think this may be a Lyon and Healy. She said that it never really got played. She told me that it almost got thrown out by her sister when her mother died, but she decided to hold on to it for decoration. This ukulele has been up on a shelf in my grandma's house for as long as I can remember. Most sopranos are between 20 and 21 inches long overall, while a typical five string taropatch is about 26 inches overall. Taropatches were typically bigger than standard soprano ukuleles. The five string taropatch was typically tuned DGCEA, and that tuning is likely the source of the modern ukulele tuning. The eight string taropatch took on the tuning of the four string ukulele. By the time yours was manufactured the eight-string taropatch had become common, and very few five-stringers were made. These were more popular in Hawaii in the late 1800s and very early 1900s. It is what is known as a five string taropatch, an instrument related to the Portuguese rajao. I have never before seen a five-string model from the company.
While standard Aloha ukuleles are not particularly rare, yours is an extremely unusual model. The unusual headstock shape on your ukulele was used on many Aloha and Akai ukuleles, and I have never seen it used by another maker. The main ukulele builder there was Tai Chong Goo, who worked under the pseudonym Akai. The company was in business from 1917 to 1935 in Honolulu. Your ukulele is a product of the Aloha Ukulele Manufacturing Company. It is really a beautiful instrument in looks and sound and a joy to play. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me some info about this instrument.I have never seen another with the five string and headstock on it as this one does. Your ukulele is an unusual brand that doesn't turn up all that often. As for the name Baker written in the uke, I'd guess that may have been the name of the original owner. I assume that it was made in 1922, quite possibly the only year the A.W. I have never seen one with a label before, so thanks for sending the photos of yours. They appear to be a good quality instrument, but I have never played one so I can't say much about the sound. Plans were made for re-organization, but I haven't found any evidence that the company ever produced instruments again.I have seen a few Stowe ukuleles before, and they seem to be patterned after the ukuleles that C.F. In June of 1922 a fire destroyed the factory and work stopped completely. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that they were around for too long. The company made instruments out of native Vermont woods. Their violins were sold under the "Artcraft" brand, while their ukuleles, banjo-ukuleles, and banjo-mandolins were marked "A.W." The "A.W." stood for "All Warranted". They were a small company that originally made violins, but early in 1922 they branched out into the field of ukuleles and banjo-ukuleles.
Your ukulele was made by the Green Mountain Violin Corporation of Stowe, Vermont. There's also pencil writing inside that seems to say "Baker". The label inside has a sailing ship and AW Ukuleles, Stowe, Vermont. We're trying to find some information about this ukulele.