S. S. Stewart Banjeaurine (1898)
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S. S. Stewart Banjeaurine (1898), made in Philadelphia, serial # 19636, natural finish, spunover rim,cherry wood neck with ebony fingerboard, black chipboard case.
The Banjeurine was essentially the creation of Philadelphia's S.S. Stewart. This is a later (around 1898) but still lovely example of his factory's work, showing an old heel repair but otherwise a nicely original instrument. With a short scale neck but full size head these instruments were originally designed to be tuned to a higher pitch to play melody parts in the banjo ensembles of the 1890's, but still have a full rich tone. While not as often seen or played today, Banjeurines are considerably rarer than their full-scale banjo brothers, especially in the better grades.
This lovely little Stewart features a VERY large rim, almost 13" wide which gives it a particularly deep, well rounded tone. The cherry neck has an ebony fingerboard with small pearl diamond inlay, topped by a more elaborate moon-and-star inlaid headstock. The neck/heel brace is the adjustable turnbuckle style which actually works if used carefully. In this case it may have been overused long ago, as the neatly carved heel was split and repaired at some point along the way. The repair is solid and the instrument fully playable, despite its long ago mishap this remains a wonderful find for the banjo collector and the player with a taste for the slightly unusual!
Overall length is 28 in. (71.1 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 19 1/2 in. (495 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
Even considering the solid but visible heel repair this very rare large-rim Banjeurine has survived 125 or so years in otherwise nicely original condition. There is only light wear overall considering the age, the most notable is plating loss to the hooks. The heel was split through, the repair is well lined up but visible and it appears the neck was lightly oversprayed at the time it was originally done. There is one small chip to the headstock face veneer on one of the points.
The celluloid-button friction tuners, turnbuckle neck adjustor, hooks and nuts are original Stewart fittings. The tailpiece is an interesting neatly engraved period unit patented in by George Durkee of Lyon & Healy in January 1887. The rim and neck serial numbers match and the inlaid celluloid logo plate is intact on the dowel. The instrument is in fine playing condition, set up with a recent calfskin head and NylGut strings. The unusually large-rim Banjuerine has a unique, rather enchanting sound and is a pretty unique find well into the 21st century. Overall Very Good + Condition.
The Banjeurine was essentially the creation of Philadelphia's S.S. Stewart. This is a later (around 1898) but still lovely example of his factory's work, showing an old heel repair but otherwise a nicely original instrument. With a short scale neck but full size head these instruments were originally designed to be tuned to a higher pitch to play melody parts in the banjo ensembles of the 1890's, but still have a full rich tone. While not as often seen or played today, Banjeurines are considerably rarer than their full-scale banjo brothers, especially in the better grades.
This lovely little Stewart features a VERY large rim, almost 13" wide which gives it a particularly deep, well rounded tone. The cherry neck has an ebony fingerboard with small pearl diamond inlay, topped by a more elaborate moon-and-star inlaid headstock. The neck/heel brace is the adjustable turnbuckle style which actually works if used carefully. In this case it may have been overused long ago, as the neatly carved heel was split and repaired at some point along the way. The repair is solid and the instrument fully playable, despite its long ago mishap this remains a wonderful find for the banjo collector and the player with a taste for the slightly unusual!
Overall length is 28 in. (71.1 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 19 1/2 in. (495 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
Even considering the solid but visible heel repair this very rare large-rim Banjeurine has survived 125 or so years in otherwise nicely original condition. There is only light wear overall considering the age, the most notable is plating loss to the hooks. The heel was split through, the repair is well lined up but visible and it appears the neck was lightly oversprayed at the time it was originally done. There is one small chip to the headstock face veneer on one of the points.
The celluloid-button friction tuners, turnbuckle neck adjustor, hooks and nuts are original Stewart fittings. The tailpiece is an interesting neatly engraved period unit patented in by George Durkee of Lyon & Healy in January 1887. The rim and neck serial numbers match and the inlaid celluloid logo plate is intact on the dowel. The instrument is in fine playing condition, set up with a recent calfskin head and NylGut strings. The unusually large-rim Banjuerine has a unique, rather enchanting sound and is a pretty unique find well into the 21st century. Overall Very Good + Condition.