A. A. Farland ‘Black Beauty’ (New Jersey, USA):.. £ 850.00

C.1915, 27” scale, black lacquer ‘ebonised’ finish, 11” maple rim with beveled top, poplar nek, ebonised pearwood fbd with pearl dots & fancy abalone phd inlay, original nickel plated hardware worn through to brass in places, patent mute system parts are present but not connected, new ‘no knot’ tpce, set up with calfskin head & Nylgut strings, a fine sounding & easy playing classical banjar, student model made to virtuoso performer Alfred A. Farland’s spec likely by Rettberg & Lange (New York), new price in 1915: $35, VGC, GB.