5-string banjo
Maker
Henry C. Dobson
Date1881 ca.
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America
Serial No.24034
SignedBranded on dowel stick: HENRY C.DOBSON / MAKER / NEW YORK U.S.A.Stamped on bass side of nickel-silver fingerboard extension and on tailpiece: H.C DOBSON / — PAT — / NOV.8.1881
MarkingsBranded on upper end of dowel stick: 24034
Stamped on later armrest: ELTON
Scratched on underside of tone ring (presumably when instrument was disassembled for repair): Henry C. Dobson Patent 1881
Written in black ink on later head: KRA / 1350
Stamped in black ink on later head: DUPLEX / [three hollow stars] / Three Star Brand
DescriptionNeck: mahogany; black-dyed hardwood heel cap with inlaid mother-of-pearl dragonfly
Peghead: mahogany veneered with black-stained rosewood and inlaid with ivory celluloid, mother-of-pearl, and abalone urn; head integral with neck
Fingerboard: ebony; 18 nickel-silver frets; mother-of-pearl pheasant inlaid behind 5th fret; double mother-of-pearl dots inlaid behind 7th and 12th frets; mother-of-pearl bird with spread wings inlaid behind 9th fret; mother-of-pearl sea monster inlaid behind 15th fret; nickel silver fingerboard extension
Head: skin
Rim: black-painted maple
Dowel stick: square mahogany with decoratively chamfered edges
Bracket hooks: 26 nickel-plated brass
Shoes: nickel-plated brass
Tension hoop: nickel-plated brass
Tone ring: curved sheet of nickel-plated brass
Nut: ebony; bone pin for 5th string
Tuners: five nickel-plated steel tension tuners with black plastic heads; later
Tailpiece: Nickel-plated brass with decoratively curved outline and hole at center
Armrest: later nickel-plated brass by Elton
Finish: later clear varnish
DimensionsTotal instrument length: 881 mm (34-11/16″)
Vibrating string length: 652 mm (25-21/32″); 5th string: 494 mm (16-7/16″)
Fingerboard length: 487 mm (19-5/32″)
Fingerboard width at nut: 33 mm (1-5/16″)
Fingerboard width at body: 57 mm (2-1/4″)
Head diameter: 275 mm (10-13/16″)
Tension hoop diameter: 285 mm (11-1/4″)
Rim and tension hoop depth: 60 mm (2-3/8″)
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 2009
Object number14398
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