Hi
I recently purchased a B&D 5 string made for Burt Clark.
I'm trying to put a folder of its history together.
I'm hoping that folks out there might have some high quality pictures, catalogs, articles, etc that will give me info on Mr Clark.
I've found out he was an investor in the company. I'd also like to know what years he was involved with B&D.
Any help would really be fantastic
Edited by - RPSEntertainment on 04/12/2025 09:33:34
RPSEntertainment
Please post all the pictures you have of this banjo directly to the forum. I saw them on your media page, but much easier to view on the forum page. A most peculiar Bacon banjo.
Bob Smakula
Hi Bob
Thx for the contact.
I'm adding the only pictures I have.
Looks like a banjeaurine.
Interesting banjo...especially because it seems Mr. Clark was left handed and it appears to be a right handed banjo. He was also known as Aboo. Very interesting guy !!
Found online:
About Burt John Clark
(Geoff) I have 1919 as year he married Gramsie, and SSN 472-07-4976 if anyone wishes to search old census data. (Per Malcolm) Aboo was left-handed. He grew up in Winona, left home at 16 with a bicycle and $5. Sold bicycle to survive until his first job in a lumberyard. Worked 10 hours per day, six days per week, and inventory on Sunday. Then he worked for T. B. Walker, a lumber baron, as an accountant. Aboo could multiply two six-digit numbers in his head. He could look at a three foot shelf of books for one minute then tell you all the titles and authors.
Aboo was 2nd or 3rd ranking tennis player for a while, and boxed lightweight until age 38. He was an expert banjo player and had beautiful handwriting. He was manic-depressive and would walk beaches in Florida when depressed.
quote:
Originally posted by gbisignaniInteresting banjo...especially because it seems Mr. Clark was left handed and it appears to be a right handed banjo. He was also known as Aboo. Very interesting guy !!
Found online:
About Burt John Clark
(Geoff) I have 1919 as year he married Gramsie, and SSN 472-07-4976 if anyone wishes to search old census data. (Per Malcolm) Aboo was left-handed. He grew up in Winona, left home at 16 with a bicycle and $5. Sold bicycle to survive until his first job in a lumberyard. Worked 10 hours per day, six days per week, and inventory on Sunday. Then he worked for T. B. Walker, a lumber baron, as an accountant. Aboo could multiply two six-digit numbers in his head. He could look at a three foot shelf of books for one minute then tell you all the titles and authors.
Aboo was 2nd or 3rd ranking tennis player for a while, and boxed lightweight until age 38. He was an expert banjo player and had beautiful handwriting. He was manic-depressive and would walk beaches in Florida when depressed.
I do most tasks with my left hand, write, use tools, eat, brush my teeth.
When I play banjo I use both hands and play a normal banjo. I also know several people who do the same thing. Reverse banjos are not "left handed" any more that regular banjos are "right handed" as both hands engage the instrument.
Here is a mention of his connection to Bacon. Posted by the late Ed Britt.
Here is the thread it came from, which I have made optional so you don't have to comb through a bunch of unrelated blather to see the Clark reference:
banjohangout.org/archive/270824/2
Hi
Thanks very much.
Great info
Gary
Hi Glenn
Thx so much for the info. I found it really interesting that he was left handed and the banjo was rt handed. I remember meeting a guy who was left handed and played guitar rt handed. He said he thinks it was because he would copy his father sitting in front of him. I'm rt handed and when I played hockey I was really having a hard time learning to use the stick and shoot. One night I forgot mine and jokingly picked up a left handed stick and magic, I could do everything I couldn't rt handed. Well never really know. But thats again for your input..
Gary
Originally posted by gbisignaniInteresting banjo...especially because it seems Mr. Clark was left handed and it appears to be a right handed banjo. He was also known as Aboo. Very interesting guy !!
Found online:
About Burt John Clark
(Geoff) I have 1919 as year he married Gramsie, and SSN 472-07-4976 if anyone wishes to search old census data. (Per Malcolm) Aboo was left-handed. He grew up in Winona, left home at 16 with a bicycle and $5. Sold bicycle to survive until his first job in a lumberyard. Worked 10 hours per day, six days per week, and inventory on Sunday. Then he worked for T. B. Walker, a lumber baron, as an accountant. Aboo could multiply two six-digit numbers in his head. He could look at a three foot shelf of books for one minute then tell you all the titles and authors.
Aboo was 2nd or 3rd ranking tennis player for a while, and boxed lightweight until age 38. He was an expert banjo player and had beautiful handwriting. He was manic-depressive and would walk beaches in Florida when depressed.
I had no idea there were left handed and right handed hockey sticks !!!
Back in 1970 I was drafted into the army. I'm right handed but for some reason I could shoot a rifle better left handed. It might have been the fact that you change which eye you use when aiming the rifle, going from righty to lefty.
good lord that is cool
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