Regal Manufacturing Co. Banjo

Marquetry on outside and bottom of wood rim. Very unusual hooks typical of early Regals made in Indiana. Made in Indianapolis. Length: 93cm.

The Regal Musical Instrument Company is a former US musical instruments company and current brand that has been owned by different companies through the ages. By the 1930s, Regal was one of the largest manufacturers in the world. Regal evolved from the Emil Wulschner Music Company, founded in 1888 by Emil Wulschner (b. 1847) after he immigrated to Indianapolis from Germany in 1875. Shortly thereafter, he added his stepson, Alexander Stewart, as a partner so the business name was changed to Wulschner & Son Music Company. The name would change for a third time to Wulschner-Stewart Music Company after Emil's death in 1900.

The Wulschner-Stewart Music Company printed sheet music, published original compositions, and offered all manner of fine musical instruments for sale (some of which were manufactured onsite). They were especially well-known for their selection of pianos and player pianos. In 1896, the company began producing banjos, guitars and mandolins under the name, ÒRegal." The Regal factory made thousands of instruments annually, including mandolins, guitars, experimental instruments, and Òdistinctive instrument lines" for other firms. By the 1930s, Regal was one of the largest manufacturers in the world.

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.

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.