Orpheum Style 1 Model Guitar Banjo, c. 1918, made in New York City, natural varnish finish, laminated maple rim and neck.

A very interesting rarity from New York's Rettberg and Lange, an Orpheum #1 openback banjo-guitar with a full 14" rim. Fancy shaped pearl inlay on the headstock and fingerboard, multiple wood laminations, and curly maple everywhere -- a fancy instrument by any standard and quite unusual in this 6-string format. Typical Orpheum raised tone ring; the precursor of the Paramount system. This is one of the few extant guitar banjos with a similar sound to the Gibson style GB, famous as Papa Charlie Jackson's favorite instrument.
 
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 14 1/8 in. (35.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/2 in. (622 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

Nicely preserved, skin head, period style guitar tailpiece. Plays very well. Overall Excellent Condition.