One of the most sought-after banjos in the collecting space, from the Golden Age of Boston banjo-making, a Pre-Fire, A. C. Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2 with all the attributes, including 10-3/4" diameter thin rim assembly, and the delicate engraved pearl inlay from the hand of Icilio Consalvi; from early 1903, a stupendous instrument for the collector or the player. The lightweight, lightly-stained maple rim assembly has all original metal parts including bracket band, tension hoop, scalloped Whyte Laydie/Electric tonering, w/ early stamped No Knot tailpiece; tortoise binding present on both sides interior side walls; stamps, serial numbers, and Fairbanks plaque present. The three piece maple neck has a 26" scale dyed pearwood fretboard and peghead overlay, with mildly worn original frets; the common hairline cracks are present on overlay (completely stable), binding shrinkage also present on neck; plays extremely well with only light forward relief. Included is the original hard shell case, with green interior.