We are very honored to offer for sale for the first time in over 50 years the one and only pre-World War II Gibson All American five string banjo, made by Gibson in early 1931. Having had only had one owner since 1968, the banjo was restored by CC Richelieu in 1966, and has had a history of owners since it was first shipped to the original purchaser, CL Pennelle of Danville, Virginia; summary of provenance included in Letter of Authentication from Gruhn Guitars. Gibson first introduced the model in the summer of 1930 for a whooping $550 retail price, and produced only this one Regular five string example. The 11" three ply maple rim assembly features the original gold-plated metal parts (including original 20-hole gold-plated flat head tonering, one-piece die-cast Zamak flange; fine engraving is present on the tension-hoop and on exterior of tonering in Florentine pattern, engraved brass armrest, w/ Grover DeLuxe Clamshell tailpiece; original "clipped" Gibson Mastertone Guarantee decal is present, with FON present in paint on resonator (chalk stamps removed at time of restoration), and die-cast on rim's internal wall. The walnut resonator is fully bound, and features a proud American Eagle on the back, with decoratively carved side walls in ropes and arrows pattern; all metal parts are original but for two of the thumb-screw, which are later, and the neck-notch felt has been partially removed, with two replaced hooks and nut. The original five string mahogany neck bears a 22 fret pearloid fingerboard depicting the history of North America, from Columbus to the First World War in hand-painted engravings; peghead is carved in shape of American Eagle, complete with shield, with first owner’s name present on truss rod cover, with more decorated carving on back of peghead and on heel; equipped with engraved, gold plated Grover tuners w/ large pearl buttons, with later fifth string tuner; lower lag bolt repair present, with replaced heel cap, with past refret at time of restoration, replaced nut; pencil of partial FON present on heel inside. At the time of restoration, the banjo was refretted, refinished, replated, with lacquer added to tonering and armrest; from past owners, the letters M&J are engraved into the flange, with C.L. Pennelle present on truss rod cover (Justice on back). Included in sale is the original Geib and Schaefer red-line hard shell case w/ black Keratol exterior, and purple felt interior (some mild exterior wear). In terms of rarity and vintage instruments, this is as rare as they come. Consider this: there were 91 pre-War D-45s produced, there were 250 Gibson Lloyd Loar signed F-5 Mandolins, but only one original five string All American. Included in sale is letter of Authentication from Gruhn Guitars.