Mandolin-banjo
Maker
Vega Company
Maker
Fairbanks Banjo
(trade name of Vega Company)
Date1910-1915 ca.
Place MadeBoston, Massachusetts, United States, North America
ModelLittle Wonder
Serial No.29469
SignedStamped on perch pole, readable when looking at underside of banjo: [on left and right of text] [5-pointed star with “VEGA” in center] FAIRBANKS BANJO / MADE BYTHE VEGA COMPANY / BOSTON, MASS.
Metal label attached to interior of hoop, treble side, visible at underside of banjo:
Leading / Music / House / 26 O’FARRELL ST. SAN FRANCISCO
MarkingsStamped at upper portion of hoop, inside (seen from underneath): 29469
Stamped on bass side of perch pole: 29469 LITTLE WONDER
Stamped on treble side of perch pole: LITTLE WONDER
DescriptionThe hoop, neck, and pegbox are maple.
A dark hardwood veneer covers front of pegbox, is inlaid down the center of the back of the neck, and at the heel.
The bottom circumference of the hoop is painted dark brown and ringed with a translucent –brown celluloid strip.
White celluloid is used in the pegs and along the sides of the fingerboard and for the nut. Ebony fingerboard.
There are 17 frets (metal).
Four mother-of-pearl position dots
20 metal brackets (all the metal is nickel-plated)
DimensionsTotal diameter belly: 202 mm
Overall length: 571 mm
ProvenancePreviously owned by an unidentified woman, a neighbor of the donors, whose husband had the instrument for many years. By about 1970, given to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Phillips, Medford, Oregon.
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Phillips, 1993
Object number05629
On View
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