I was in Lone Pine, CA, a few months ago and visited the Museum of Western Film History which is right on the main drag (Hwy 395). One of the exhibits featured - be still my beating heart! - an Ovation guitar! Specifically, an Applause with some interesting artwork on the front. The story behind it is that it was owned and played by Max "Doc" Denning (so named for his initials - MD). Sorry to say I had never heard of him, but Google and Youtube both were helpful. Pretty famous fellow in his day. He played with the Sons of the Pioneers and the Reinsmen, to name two. He passed away just this year at age 96. The guitar was given to the Museum by the Death Valley 49ers. The artwork, by a William Rushing (I think that's what it says), is of an old steam-driven wagon hauler.

... well, shoot. Once again I'm having trouble with posting pics. But there are three pics of the guitar in my photo album on this site.