A. C. Fairbanks Whyte Laydie Contrabass Banjo 1905

We are pleased to offer a one-of-a-kind rarity from the Golden era of Boston banjo making, a contrabass banjo from A.C. Fairbanks. 79.5" (6.7 feet) overall length, 25.5" rim, and 60" scale, the banjo has four upright bass style tuners on the peghead and a friction peg fifth tuner which we believe is ornamental. Most likely the banjo was set up and played as a bass, perhaps in a banjo orchestra in the early part of the 20th century. Bound mahogany neck, pearwood fretboard, and pearwood topped peghead, with tortoise bound rim, which shows evidence of a repaired crack. The dowel stick carries a Fairbanks plate, and two Whyte Laydie stamps although no tonering is present. Grained ivoroid dots and diamond inlays. Included in the sale is a period hardshell case which is stamped "No. 2 Professional, A. Taylor Trunk Works, New York/Chicago". Truly a custom steamer trunk, the case measures over 7 feet tall, is 11" deep, is held together by brackets and includes a large casepocket inside. The case has accumulated various names/addresses on the outside including a stencil reading "Des Moines, Iowa". Both the contrabanjo and case are museum quality artifacts, and are one of a kind.