W. A. Cole Eclipse Banjeaurine Model 5 String Banjo, c. 1896, made in Boston, black varnish finish, maple semi-clad rim, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard.
A very nice and spectacularly original example of an early Cole's Eclipse Banjeurine with the ever-popular man-in-the-moon inlay. Includes a complete set of original bone friction pegs and an Elite tailpiece with a patent date of 1895.
Banjeurines like this were meant to be tuned to a higher pitch to play melody parts in the banjo ensembles of the 1890's. While not as often played today, banjeurines are considerably rarer than their full-scale banjo brothers, especially in the higher grades. This makes a very fine set with our matching Cole's Eclipse Banjo, stock#1556
Overall length is 29 1/2 in. (74.9 cm.), 10 3/8 in. (26.4 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 20 1/2 in. (521 mm.).
Excellent overall with repaired hairline crack in the area where the neck joins the peghead. Set up with older skin head, all hardware original except bridge.
