old goat - Posted - 03/27/2014:  15:18:06

A friend came across an oddball banjo today and sent photos. I don't know how to post them in this post but I uploaded them into my photo album. Take a look and tell me if you know what it is?

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 03/27/2014:  15:37:51

Early - 1870s - H.C. Dobson with marquetry fretboard and resonator decoration. Also an original coffin case! Very cool.

jbalch - Posted - 03/27/2014:  15:49:52

Very cool indeed!

NealR - Posted - 03/27/2014:  15:53:13

Sweet.

mrphysics55 - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:07:08

Dang!

old goat - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:16:49

Are the floral decorations original?

lazlototh - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:21:51

Oh, I do like that!!

guitarman8491 - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:23:13

Very cool to see something this old, all original in the case.

jbalch - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:40:39

quote:

---

Originally posted by old goat

Are the floral decorations original?

---

 Most likely - yes.

Glenn K - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:44:24

What's something like that worth?

mrphysics55 - Posted - 03/27/2014:  16:55:54

...

Enoch Banjo

old goat - Posted - 03/27/2014:  18:44:36

A girl I know found it in her mothers attic today.

rot-n-dobe - Posted - 03/27/2014:  19:54:29

very cool! love that tailpiece.

davidwigal - Posted - 03/27/2014:  20:00:23

That is so beautiful and rare; it could easily be in a museum. I wouldn't let anyone but a professional restorer or art-cleaner touch it.

Edited by - davidwigal on 03/27/2014 20:02:21

Paul R - Posted - 03/27/2014:  22:39:09

Oh, geez, "found in attic". Amazing how lucky some people can be. That's a fantastic find.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 03/28/2014:  07:01:55

Holy crap, time warp! Looks to be in remarkably good shape. I agree with David, this should go to a pro for cleanup, etc. I'll vote for Dan Knowles, Paris, TN to do the job...case and all.

banjohangout.org/myhangout/hom...?id=44416

Edited by - trapdoor2 on 03/28/2014 07:03:06

old goat - Posted - 03/28/2014:  07:10:16

I think I remember a clawhammer book that was widely available at one time that featured and old man on the cover holding a banjo like this but I can't find it on google. Seems like he was sitting next to an old woman, sort of American Gothic style. Anyone remember this?

old goat - Posted - 03/28/2014:  07:15:12

Never mind I found it. An Art Rosenbaum book and its not the same model banjo.

Enochinst - Posted - 03/28/2014:  07:36:57

I have an open back with the same marquetry pattern on the fingerboard, it what I used to make the repro pattern I'm using on some of my banjos today, like the one mrphysics55 posted above. The neck on my old one looks about the same as this one but mine is solid rosewood. The rim on mine is a thin single ply, and very plane. There are no markings on mine but I'm sure it's Dobson too. That's a really cool find for sure. Can you get a good close up of the marquetry on the back and sides of the pot? If you ever want to sell it please let me know.
Kevin

old goat - Posted - 03/28/2014:  07:40:57

My friend found it while rambling around her mothers attic, opened the case, made the photos and closed the case. I'm pretty sure its still in the attic.

dspainters - Posted - 03/28/2014:  15:07:46

that is a beautiful banjo cant wait to see it cleaned up.. nice find..good luck...

W L D - Posted - 03/29/2014:  05:10:15

Yepper that's an 1867 Henry Clay Dobson banjo (pat. year) made in NYC back then. If you ever take it apart you might find a paper label inside the pot with his name and address. When I opened mine the label was gone but the owner wrote when he got it in in 1869 on the skin. That's a real beauty and should be handled with care. The value is probably between $2500-3000 in the condition it is in.

W L D - Posted - 03/29/2014:  11:46:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by mrphysics55

...

 

---

It also looks like this neck too. eBay 23118203620.

I also meant to say that the added frets may devalue it somewhat. Depends on if the buyer wanted it all original I guess .

Hawgfiddle65 - Posted - 03/31/2014:  06:57:59

Hi .What a find. there's only mouse poo in my attic!....Jim

W L D - Posted - 03/31/2014:  16:22:01

And look at how neat and simple to make that case is. Even a caveman can make one. lol