American Five-String Fretless Banjo

Object Details

Description

This banjo was made by an unknown maker in the United States around 1880-1882. It is a Five-String Banjo with a rosewood veneer hoop, sixteen brackets, rosewood veneer fingerboard, and friction pegs. There is a medallion on the lower part of the fingerboard.:

J.H.F.
NY&C

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This instrument listed in an 1880 J. Howard Foote catalog, sold as a “Stage Banjo” (#6959), for $6.20.

Location

Currently not on view

Data Source

National Museum of American History

date made

1880 - 1882

Credit Line

Gift of J. Howard Foote

Physical Description

rosewood (overall material)

brass (overall material)

parchment (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 35 1/2 in x 11 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in; 90.17 cm x 29.21 cm x 6.985 cm

Object Name

banjo