Elias Howe Co. Boston, or Howe-Orme, brand ukulele (a). The ukulele has a patent date of Aug. 24, 1897. The ukulele is missing four strings and has a shiny piece of string loosely tied around the top of the neck. The front of the ukulele has a black piece with "EH/ Co" written in stylized letters in an ivory colour in the middle. The inside of the ukulele has a piece of paper with the patent and brand information, visible through the hole. The case (b) is black with two silver clasps on the side.