In Search of HC Dobson's First Banjo

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H. C. Dobson Banjos

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For all things related to banjos by Henry C. Dobson.

113 Members, Created 11/28/2011 -

Administrators: jbalch (owner)

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From W L D on 12/1/2013 8:01:15 AM

I've been hunting for this for about 20 years now off and on. A little history of it and as much as I know....

Henry Clay Dobson made a banjo when he was working at the Astor House in 1851 when he was 19.(p.31 'America's Instrument') It hung in his shop until he passed away in 1908 and then hung in his son's (G. Clifton Dobson) music school until he died in 1931 and has never been seen again. No pics of the banjo exist, but the banjo supposely does have a metal plate with Henry's name and date attached to it.

3 Comments
	Bill Anderson says: 12/1/2013 8:22:41 AM Good luck.....I will keep an eye out. that is not much criteria....not sure we could ever identify the first banjo with confidence. Glad to see some Dobson interest....Bill
	W L D says: 12/3/2013 7:12:26 AM Thank you wbelm for your reply. Yes I know it's not much to go on, but maybe the owner or someone may have read or heard where it's at. Who knows it may even have been buried with G. Clifton Dobson back in 1931 since that was common back then to have yourself buried with your most prized possession for eternity.
	Bill Anderson says: 12/3/2013 7:26:49 AM Could be with him....man the shovels mate.
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