WS20-1

S. S. Stewart                  Little Wonder                                   5 String Piccolo Banjo

 

S/N- 12990       1893                                  7 x 15 “                                        2 7/8 lb.

 

Fully original

 

Condition: Near mint.

 

Background: As banjo popularity soared in the 1880s, musical arrangements were written in four parts and the piccolo banjo was made to play the soprano parts. Rims are usually around 7" in diameter with necks to scale. By most makers, piccolos are quite rare and very few had model designations. Stewart, on the other hand, was quite well known for his nicely made “Little Wonders” with full spun pots,16 brackets, cherry necks, ebony boards, and plain celluloid tuners. They turn up more often than piccolos by any maker and were priced at $ 13.

In reference to Stewart piccolos, the number “2" can be very confusing. He offered a “Grade 2 “ piccolo which was his cheaply made level and a “Little Wonder No. 2" which was an upgraded, more elaborate Little Wonder ( see S/N:13323 described next).

 

This instrument is a standard example of this model.

 

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