1880s Dobson-Bruno high grade Ladies Banjo. Excel Condition.

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This banjo has all the iDs of a banjo made by J.H.Buckbee in New York in the early 1880s and marketed by Charles Bruno who had a combined catalogue with George Dobson in the mid 1880s. This exact inlay pattern appears on Bruno’s most expensive banjo the “Palo Alto”. This may have been a special order because Bruno’s catalogue does not list a “Ladies” Model. It is however a near exact copy of the more expensive lady’s models offered by G. Dobson in his section of the catalogue with the inlays being the only real difference. It even has the “white celluloid” pegs mentioned in the description of the Palo Alto. It is a classic “Ladies” banjo of the period with 10” German Silver rim and 24” scale. It has 24 brackets and an engraved tension hoop. It is currently strung with medium weight nylon strings. It should not be strung with steel strings unless the tuners are changed. The inlays are abalone and pearl. The head is a high grade calfskin. The tailpiece is the one pictured in the catalogue on the Palo Alto. The brackets are interesting because they are very similar to ones used on Fairbanks and Vega banjos. They do not appear to be replacements and Dobson and Fairbanks were both located in Boston. Another banjo history mystery. One of our knowledgeable collector friends has suggested the entire pot is a 10" Fairbanks and that Dobson read more

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