S. S. Stewart Pony Concert Banjo (1890), made in Philadelphia, PA, serial # 6986, natural finish, Spunover rim, cherry neck with ebony fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This diminutive Stewart banjo has seen some interesting history; and even besides that is a very rare and interesting (not to mention awful cute!) miniature 5-string. It has some wear and repair but is a lovely and rare piece nonetheless. A product of the late 19th century fascination with banjos of all sizes, the "Pony Concert Banjo" was the next size above "Piccolo" generally with an 8" rim and 18" scale. This was not the smallest size attempted, but just a bit larger, making it easier for full-size humans to play! Much of the impetus for building banjos in assorted sizes came from S.S. Stewart in Philadelphia; who offered them in a dizzying array of sizes and styles. Although antique dealers used to characterize these as "Child's banjos " they were originally primarily intended to be played in large banjo ensembles, with the smaller instruments taking the high melody or counter melody in the orchestral arrangements. This model was priced at $14.00 in Stewart's 19890s catalog described as "VERY BRILLIANT IN TONE".
This mini-banjo carry a 4-digit serial number stamped on the dowel suggesting it was built around 1890. The ivoroid S.S. Stewart plaque is affixed to the dowel, which is also stamped with the Stewart brand and headstock-shaped "SSS" logo on the dowel stick. The level of decoration is very plain, with just a dot and single diamond inlaid fingerboard and single pearl star on the headstock. The neck is Stewart's typical cherry with an ebony fingerboard; the spunover rim and hardware are fairly basic but typical Stewart fare of the era. The tailpiece is a hand-made ivoroid replacement, with some nice engraving on the top; the other hardware remains original.
This banjo carries some great history; it was played in the Harvard University Freshman Musical Clubs in 1916-17 by a student named Fredrick F. Williams, who neatly wrote his name and info under the head, including his dorm room number. The somewhat faded mark of another in his family is also present; this is harder to read but appears to date to 1895. It is possible two generations of this family took this little banjo with them to college. Whatever the story it was very well cared for along the way and survives in lovely condition, actually playing quite well with a lovely and surprisingly powerful sound.
Overall length is 25 in. (63.5 cm.), 8 in. (20.3 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 18 in. (457 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This is a very clean little banjo for being about 135 years old, and remains nicely original except for a later handmade tailpiece and more modern Grover bridge. There is a very old crack repair to the heel, neatly done with the finish polished out over it, blending nearly perfectly with the original varnish on the back of the neck. This finish shows some wear in the lower positions with light dings and dents along the spine but no really heavy wear.
The hoop has some scarring along the top edge from ancient mis-alignment, and long ago someone scooped it out to provide better clearance for the strings at the fingerboard end. This is neatly done but noticeable as that spot is down to bare brass. The plating shows some light wear, mostly to the ends of the nuts. The 100+ year old skin head still holds tension and sounds great, carrying its higher educational history proudly. This is a lovely playing and sounding miniature banjo, a delightful curio of the banjo-centric late Victorian age living in a modern gig bag. Overall Very Good + Condition.
