sawheater - Posted - 05/12/2013:  10:51:48

Hi There, I am desperate to find a bit of history if possible on a rather unusual banjo which has been hanging on our living room wall for some time. The only mark is a stamp on the back of the neck reading W. Davis, Bloomsbury. He was apparently a tobacconist not a luthier! I will attempt to post some pictures as it is hard to describe the beautiful marquetry right up the fingerboard and around the drum. All I can say is that it is fretless and a 7 stringer!!! I'll see what I can do!! Any help greatly appreciated!!

beegee - Posted - 05/12/2013:  10:59:12

Waiting on pictures

sawheater - Posted - 05/12/2013:  11:12:41

just coming up...if I can get them on here!!!

Oalbrets - Posted - 05/12/2013:  11:15:37

I don't know what it is but it is very cool. Bob might know what it is.

Edited by - Oalbrets on 05/12/2013 11:17:12

sawheater - Posted - 05/12/2013:  11:19:45

Apparently the stamp," W.Davis  50 Broad St., Bloomsbury," was for a tobacconists in London in 1869. Could he have imported it? There is zero evidence of meddling or alterations to the banjo.

banjocollector - Posted - 05/12/2013:  11:39:39

Looks to be a lovely early English tonbridge ware minstrel banjo - not in field but highly collectable, especially in original condition and not 'messed about'

Someone on BHO will surely be able to give you much more info.

Derek

Beetle_bombshell - Posted - 05/12/2013:  11:41:12

In the UK this form of decoration is called Tunbridgeware after the town of Tunbridge Wells where it was an industry in the 19th century.  Any small wooded items were decorated particularly boxes.   This banjo is a splendid example appealing to collectors in two categories.

Regards  Richard.

skip sail - Posted - 05/12/2013:  11:56:39

I have seen a couple like this belonging to one of the big collectors here in Australia. This is a particularly nice one.

sawheater - Posted - 05/12/2013:  13:42:33

Thanks guys, It's my Dad's and it has been part of our living room furniture for as long as I can remember. He has often wondered if it should be properly valued, but it's knowing who and where would know most about it. I thought this would be a good start for info. Everything is original as far as we know. My Grandfather used to collect instruments and I think this was one of his. It really is incredible close up, not a piece of inlay missing

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 05/12/2013:  15:14:31

I can't imagine the time and skill that it took to do that.... !

SWCooper - Posted - 05/12/2013:  16:04:01

Do not be tempted to clean it up! A collector will want it warts and all.

Dave1climber - Posted - 05/12/2013:  16:08:07

I have seen small "puzzle box's' that looked not nearly as nice as that go for a great deal.  Amazing!!

skip sail - Posted - 05/12/2013:  17:04:48

people ASK a great deal for these(the collector i mentioned has been trying to sell his for $2500 for many years) but the buyers are few.

Paul R - Posted - 05/12/2013:  17:04:52

Welcome to BHO! You chose a great way to introduce yourself.

You might want to get it appraised for insurance. I know I wouldn't sell it if I owned it. Marquetry + banjo = desirable two ways.

beegee - Posted - 05/12/2013:  17:43:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by BNJOMAKR

 

I can't imagine the time and skill that it took to do that.... !

---

Probably similar to the work it takes to make exquisite miniature banjos from scratch....

wbelm - Posted - 05/12/2013:  17:58:52

Very nice banjo. Thanks for posting photos

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 05/12/2013:  23:58:39

Thanks for posting. Always nice to see these. An identical one sold in March this year here in the UK at auction for approx. £850. I would say that was about right. Insurance value double that. No offense but i do feel a touch sad that the fate of such a fine instrument is as a wall hanger.

skip sail - Posted - 05/13/2013:  00:08:47

i agree with Stephen on the value

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 05/14/2013:  06:19:43

An ounce of Black Shag, a tin of snuff and a Banjo please Mr Davis. Sounds like my kind of shop.

Stephen John Prior - Posted - 05/14/2013:  07:09:04

W Davis, 50 Broad street, BLOOMSBURY. Listed in the 1846 Census. Must have been some Tobacconists. Just found a reference to him on Concertina.net ! Someone on there was asking about a concertina with a W Davis, BLOOMSBURY name tag. Turns out it was made by the highly rated maker 'Lachenal'

OK so i'm bored indoors.

sawheater - Posted - 05/21/2013:  13:04:00

Sorry for not saying "Thank you for all the help!" sooner. I have been playing at a Country Gospel Music convention! I totally understand the slight sorrow at a lovely instrument being used for wall decoration, however it is the safest place for it! My Dad plays an un-tinkered with Gibson SJN, pretty much worn a hole in the top from 40 years of gigging! so we DO believe in playing not just looking at quality instruments! Thank you again for all the advice! :-)

BanjoDaddio - Posted - 05/21/2013:  16:59:07

The method that was used to produce all that wonderful marquetry of wood was kind of mass produced and one

( an instrument company, luthier or furniture maker etc.) could order whole array different designs from a catalog which the manufacturer made available to the trades..I had a few in my day and they are very impressive...I once stuck a contact mike on mine and blew it though an old Marshall amp....Whoa!....

banjowilly22 - Posted - 06/19/2013:  12:19:16

Hi, I am the guy who purchased the almost identical one in the Auction this year !

Where are you in the World ?

Keith

sawheater - Posted - 06/20/2013:  15:01:06

North Yorkshire! Not far down the road from you I notice!