S. S. Stewart Extra Fine Presentation Model 5 String Banjo (1890), made in Philadelphia, PA, serial # 7497, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, cherry neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This is a special instrument, an especially beautiful and ornate top-of-the-line presentation grade S.S. Stewart banjo built around 1890. At the time the Philadelphia company was, by their own account at least, the world's greatest banjo maker, although Fairbanks and Cole would have begged to differ!
This Stewart is built with the finest grade materials the company used and a high level of decoration; it is very similar to the style illustrated in the c.1895 catalog at the price of $125, an astronomical sum for a banjo even in the Gilded Age. This level of ornamentation was listed as "Extra Fine, for Presentation etc." and as each was ordered individually there can be a lot of variation in the exact specs.
This instrument is high end all the way. It is built around a 11 1/2" spunover 30 bracket rim with very delicate floral engraving all around the outer surface. The interior is decorated with elaborate wood marquetry also in an interesting floral motif; most of these we have seen have a geometric pattern. Both of these features Stewart saved for top-end banjos. The nuts inside the rim are unplated brass as the neck adjustor; this is unusual but appears to be original as they match perfectly.
The 27 1/2" scale neck has multiple laminates under the ebony fingerboard, thus is sturdier than the average Stewart cherrywood piece. There is a lovely extremely dense floral-and-vase engraved pearl inlay pattern on the headstock, which is shaped in the larger presentation style Stewart pattern. The fingerboard is elaborate but has less inlay than some, made up of familiar Stewart pearl motifs including flowers and butterflies (used only on top-end banjos) in various combinations concentrated at the highest, middle and lowest fret positions. The heel is carved in a fantastic floral motif culminating in an elaborately carved lion's head complete with curling tongue licking its chops.
The dowel stick is decoratively carved and carries an inlayed celluloid "S.S. Stewart, Phil'a PA" logo tag, an impressed "SSS trade mark" headstock-shaped logo and the serial number. The tailpiece is the original "Common Sense" style with the center "walrus ivory" (per Stewart) decorative rosette still intact. The tuners are period ivoroid violin-style pegs with Maltese cross buttons.
Stewart was never at a loss promoting his wares; The $125 model described with "the neck is one of the finest pieces of carving and inlaying ever done on a banjo". He added this style was "made with raised frets only on account of the elaborate and delicate pearl inlaying". This beautiful banjo shows only fairly light wear and remains a stunning survivor of the first golden era of the 5-string banjo, a true playable antique and a superb example of S.S. Stewart's best work.
Overall length is 36 1/4 in. (92.1 cm.), 11 1/2 in. (29.2 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 27 1/2 in. (698 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This banjo is really quite nicely preserved overall and remains in nearly all original condition showing just light wear typical for its age, now about 135 years old! The finish on the back of the neck is partially worn to the wood in the lower positions; there is no overspray or added finish anywhere. The fingerboard and frets are original and show some light wear, with minor divoting to the board in the first position and some loss to the engraving in the lower positions.
There is only very minor corrosion and spotting to the outer plated rim surface; none of the plating has gone down to the metal except on the tailpiece nut. The hook and nut set appears completely original as indeed does all the rim hardware including the tailpiece and neck brace. The ivoroid friction tuners are period and have been restored to the instrument, which once had geared tuners fitted. This work was VERY neatly done and is only noticeable on close inspection.
This banjo is set up with a modern Remo Fiberskyn head and modern bridge. Like ALL early Stewarts it was built in an era when only gut strings were used, so it is set up with a Nylgut classical set. We would NOT recommend using steel strings on this instrument; the cherry neck is quite straight for one of these but even this more elaborate underlaid version was never intended for steel string tension. Taken as it is, this is a superbly lovely original period piece, one of the nicest products of S.S. Stewart's Philadelphia factory as we have ever seen and a fine playing and sounding banjo within its 19th century design limits. Overall Excellent - Condition.
