Santos Hernandez (1874-1943) is widely considered the greatest Spanish luthier of the first half of the 20th century, Santos Hernandez was born in Madrid in 1873. He apprenticed first with Valentin Viudes II, then went to work for José Ortega in Granada, but soon returned to Madrid to work for the Hijo de Francisco Gonzalez. In 1893, he was called up for military service, and fought in Spanish-American war. Upon leaving the army, he found work in the shop of Manuel Ramirez. It is accepted that it was Santos who made the classical guitar that Manuel gave Andres Segovia in 1912. When Manuel died in 1916, Santos continued to work for his widow until at least 1918 when he opened his own shop on Plaza Nicolas Salmeron, no 8, however, even then he may have continued to make guitars Ramirez's widow until her death in 1921. The guitars he made for the Vda de Manuel Ramirez carry his initials S.H. on her label. About 1921 he had moved his shop to Aduana 27, From 1916 to his death in 1943, Santos is thought to have made perhaps 300 guitars. Virtually all the major flamenco players his day played Santos Hernandez guitars: Ramon Montoya, Niño Ricardo, Sabicas, Esteban de Sanlúcar, Manolo de Huelva, Manolo de Badajoz, etc. His classicals are likewise highly prized. This flamenco guitar has been restored and is a fine example of his work.