Joel Hooks - Posted - 10/24/2025:  06:11:57

In late 1903 the A. C. Fairbanks Co. started running advertisements offering to send out a set of halftone prints featuring banjoists that endorsed or played the "Whyte Laydie" model banjo.

Here I present that set. I have no idea if this is complete, there are 50 prints in the collection I have. I scanned this at a higher res than normal so the file is fairly big. Hopefully people will find this useful for future works and publications.

spoonfed - Posted - 10/24/2025:  07:40:17

I dont think I will ever be described as "A Celebrated Artist" after a great deal of experimentation though, the Whyte Laydie is definitely my personal banjo for life, I am not surprised it was a very popular choice, it is certainly the best I have ever heard !

The Old Timer - Posted - 10/24/2025:  13:59:54

These photos should inspire all open back banjo players to at least dress better.

Jon Borcherding - Posted - 10/24/2025:  14:13:01

Wow. Those folks are really fancy!
I guess the Whyte Laydie is not the banjo for me.
Who makes the Fat Farmer banjo?

Joel Hooks - Posted - 10/24/2025:  14:43:58

They were dressed current with their era. This was no more fancy at that time than a hoodie, t shirt and blue jeans are today. This is difficult to comprehend, but they were just dressed in what was cool at the time. Perhaps an expensive leather jacket and high end sneakers would be today’s equivalent.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 10/25/2025:  06:46:05

Joel, that is an amazing compendium of photos! Thank You once again for an immensely valuable resource.

I wonder if I have, or have had one of the instruments pictured in the folio.

Homer Chalet Garber wins for best name and instrument.

Wonder where that instrument is now…Jim?….

Jim Bollman - Posted - 10/25/2025:  19:53:06

There are two Whyte-Laydie Deluxe 5 strings extant. One is the so-called " Berlin " banjo with some sketchy provenance that it was owned by Irving B. The other is in my collection, both banjos are heavily compromised with replaced rims, inlays, appointments. If an unmolested example ever shows up I'd like to hear about it. I can't identify either example with any of those owned by Garber, Ibach, et al. I suspicion that only a handful of Deluxe W.L. banjos were made.

BanjoDaddio - Posted - 10/28/2025:  00:10:11

Since we’re on the subject of WL’s, what is the serial number of the WL #2 John Cohen of the NLCR played and was donated to the Library of Congress? I remember seeing Roscoe Holcomb play that banjo. And, incidentally, one of my favorite go- to banjos is indeed a A.C. Fairbanks WL #2. Bridge is less than 1/2 and neck has never been shimmed or reset. Renaissance head and tightened close to popping. Insanely good.