I collect ukuleles as a hobby, and I also restore old ukuleles (though I'm just an amateur at repairs). I've accumulated too many, so I'm decluttering. I purchased this ukulele used, with the original box, as it was reportedly hardly used. I cleaned it after purchase and have stored it at home. The original plastic wrapping is included. It's in beautiful condition with no noticeable scratches. It comes with a new, generic black case that I bought to protect the ukulele. The AU-1 was released in 2012 and has undergone several model changes. This is the second generation. The size is slightly smaller than the third generation model. I purchased this model because it's said to be the best among the AU-1 models, according to YouTube videos. It's made in China and released by Arai Trading in Japan, which checks the quality. However, the size and color may vary depending on the production location for each generation. Would this be a good choice for your first ukulele? No claims, no returns. Shipping will be done by wrapping it in bubble wrap or packing sheets and placing it in a reused cardboard box.