- Very Good + Condition
- Year: 1931
- Includes Original Hard Shell Case
- Serial #: FON 9947-2
30172
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. All of the history and provenance of this instrument are available to seriously interested parties. It has had one owner since 1968. The banjo was restored by CC Richelieu in 1966. It had a history of owners since it was first shipped to the original purchaser, CL Pennelle of Danville, Virginia. The instrument is the highest grade banjo ever made by the Gibson Company. Original five strings are the scarcest of all. The rim features a one piece, cast flange, which is highly engraved and fitted with the original high profile flathead tone ring. All FON numbers are intact. The resonator and neck are carved in Americana motif and the fingerboard etched, silkscreen decoration represents the history of North America from Christopher Columbus to World War I. The banjo comes to us in the original redline hardshell case.
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.
Think of it this way….in the fine art world, that is the price of a water color by a minor French impressionist!!
$250000.00
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