Lion Banjo Manufacturing Co. Banjo

Signed W.B. Park, 1896. Made in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Height 88cm. Piccolo banjo with rip in skin head, c.1998. Length: 59cm. The diameter of the skin head is 7.75" and the diameter of the rim is 8.125", length of the instrument from the very top to the very bottom is 23.5".

In an advertisement in the Sept-Oct 1885 issue of "The Cadenza" the Lion Banjo Manufacturing Co., of Rock Rapids, Iowa, USA announced "A great revolution in banjo and guitar making . Many new features .. sloping frets, hollow hoop, new tailpiece but no side peg" and "An entirely new method of attaching neck to hoop". The company which also manufactured guitars and mandolins exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.

The Meisel Collection. This instrument is being sold from The Meisel Collection assembled over a period of forty years by an accomplished attorney from Princeton, New Jersey. The owner traveled the world in search of rare, interesting, and handsome instruments to fill a collection that until now was displayed in his beautiful Princeton home.

Please note: The items in the Meisel Collection are being sold F.O.B. Princeton, New Jersey. The recommended shipper is the U.P.S. Store, 174 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08542 which has extensive experience shipping fragile auction items. The Store can be emailed at store2026@theupsstore.com or called at 609-924-0759. The auction house makes no commission on shipping; payment for shipping is made by the buyer directly to the shipper. Although buyers are free to use any shipper they choose, we have found this shipper to be fair and reliable. For those wishing to pick up their Meisel purchases in Princeton: once you have paid for your purchase(s), we will advise you of when and where in Princeton you will be able to schedule an appointment to pick-up your lot(s). Please be aware that auction Lots 800 and up are not in Princeton but, with the exception of a handful of items, these lots are with Guernsey's in New York City.

Condition: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in very fine condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or email Guernsey's at auctions@guernseys.com to request a more thorough condition report.