RARE Folk Art 1920s Black Face Minstrel Banjo & Case
Directory: Archives: Collectibles: Pre 1930: Item # 427474
Please refer to our stock # BA422 when inquiring.
This extraordinarily RARE, circa 1920's, vintage Americana Folk Art, BLACK MINSTREL SHOW Banjo & Case is a Black Memorabilia collector's dream!
Seldom found on today's Black Americana market, this piece comes out of a Chicago estate and was said to have been used in Chicago area Black Minstrel Shows.
The FOLK ART quality painting to this authentic banjo is wonderful, with little paint wear, and it depicts a smiling, pig-tailed, black man playing the very same model banjo! The name, "JoJo" is also hand-painted in red and pink on the front of the original leather banjo case.
The banjo does not bear a maker's mark, but is stamped "patent applied for" as noted in one photo. It measures 22 inches long x 8 inches wide at its widest point. The overall condition of the piece is quite remarkable given its 85+ years of age with expected age wear.
This phenomenal piece of BLACK MEMORABILIA from the BLACK MINSTREL SHOW era remains a RARE & IMPORTANT historical artifact, and is absolutely stunning as a Folk Art display piece!