Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1522:
Description
64371 C1600 80/150/250
Antique Open-Back Banjo & Photos
This is a wonderful grouping, centered on an antique open-back banjo, likely a late 19th-century or early 20th-century instrument. The rim appears to be wood with a significant number of metal bracket hooks holding the natural skin head taut—a hallmark of early banjo construction. It features a simple fretboard that appears to be ebony or a dark wood, with simple dot inlays, and the peghead has four or five friction-style tuners with pearloid or bone buttons. The accompanying historical photographs are a beautiful complement. The larger cabinet card photograph features the two sisters, Nettie and Daisy Freeland, in elaborate late Victorian or Edwardian dress with decorative hats. The smaller, framed photo is confirmed to be Daisy Freeland playing this very same banjo, providing a delightful, verified, and intimate glimpse into the personal history and musical interest of a past era. The banjo is in fair-to-good antique condition; the skin head shows significant patina and wear, and the single string visible is a simple wire/thread replacement, suggesting it is not currently playable and will require significant restoration (new strings, bridge, tuning, etc.). The nickel plating on the brackets shows tarnish and wear. The photos are in good condition, with the cabinet card mounted on its original card stock and the smaller photo in an attractive glass and metal frame. Banjo H 35″, W 12″, D 3″. Cabinet card H 7.5″, W 5.25″. Small photo H 5″, W 3″.
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