Banjo Ukulele, most likely made by Slingerland, c. 1924, made in Chicago, natural finish, laminated maple rim, maple neck.
An early Slingerland-style Chicago made banjo uke with a beautifully hand-decorated head. The headstock is a lovely 19th century banjo-style seen only on the first instruments of this type, but the real charm of this one lies in the artwork. The head is covered with finely executed colored-ink drawings depicting an early flapper-style bathing beauty, a bobbed-hair girl's portrait and a Little-Nemo-derived redhead with a fur-trimmed skirt. One of the most charming examples of this period decoration we have seen, and a good playing and sounding instrument too boot!
Overall length is 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm.), 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 1/2 in. (343 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.). Some signs of use, head is a bit dirty but overall a fine player with no repairs, all original except possibly later tailpiece. Overall Excellent Condition.
