WS14-4

Fairbanks & Cole         “Early Style” Un-designated Model            5 String

 

S/N: 1349             1881                   11 5/8 x 28 “                             4 3/8 lb.

 

Fully original.

 

Condition: Mint.

 

Background: Banjos I call the “early style” have tall and very contoured pegheads, moderately big dimensions, and inlays of geometric shapes arranged in patterns. On instruments with frets, the inlays always seem to appear in frets 6, 8, 11, and 13. Most of them carry no model designation. I have been unable to identify these banjos in either Fairbanks & Cole catalog and they all seem to have been made in the first half of the decade.

 

About this instrument:
1) Ex-Bollman Collection.

2) The peghead is decorated with a very attractive wood marquetry cherub playing a banjo.

3) Flush ivory frets.

4) Very unusual ivory tuners that are both carved and etched.

5) Fancy ivory tailpiece.

6) Lovely marquetry decoration around the lower outer rim.

7) Tension hoop has a higher inner surface with a beaded edge and a lower outer surface that hides the flesh hoop.

 

Click to enlarge: