during the early 1990s epiphone released a series called the imperial series. these were remakes of the classic epiphone archtops of the 1930s and '40s. each instrument was handmade in the fujigen factory in japan. this short-lived series was discontinued in 1993, after only 42 emperors were made. several other models, including de luxe, broadway and triumph models, were also produced in varying quantities.