Alfred A. Farland Piccolo Banjo

Birdseye maple neck. Made in New Jersey. Height 58cm.

Alfred A. Farland (1864-1954) was one of the most sensational players of the banjo at the start of the 20th century. He began his career touring America with a circus when he was discovered by S.S. Steward, who went on to present him in concert in Philadelphia, launching the start of Farland's phenomenal career.

Eventually, to reflect his benefactor, he switched from a Dobson to a Stewart banjo. Both models had 22 frets, which was advanced from his contemporaries who were playing with few-- if any!-- frets at all. Eventually, he began designing his own banjos, advertising them as "his own make," though they were made for him first by Buckbee then Rettberg & Lang after 1897.

In 1890, Farland patented his "metal head" and then his "bevelled-top wood rim banjo" in 1900. It is of note that his "metal vellum" was advertised as a waterproof head. His famous "harp" attachment was a type of lever mute that operated under the vellum, similar to Bacon's later models. Because of the special arrangements of operatic and classical works he performed, Farland needed (and later marketed) an instrument with an extended fingerboard with 29 frets, the likes on which he played, amongst other things, Mendelsohn's Violin Concerto.

The Meisel Collection. This instrument is being sold from The Meisel Collection assembled over a period of forty years by an accomplished attorney from Princeton, New Jersey. The owner traveled the world in search of rare, interesting, and handsome instruments to fill a collection that until now was displayed in his beautiful Princeton home.

Please note: The items in the Meisel Collection are being sold F.O.B. Princeton, New Jersey. The recommended shipper is the U.P.S. Store, 174 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08542 which has extensive experience shipping fragile auction items. The Store can be emailed at store2026@theupsstore.com or called at 609-924-0759. The auction house makes no commission on shipping; payment for shipping is made by the buyer directly to the shipper. Although buyers are free to use any shipper they choose, we have found this shipper to be fair and reliable. For those wishing to pick up their Meisel purchases in Princeton: once you have paid for your purchase(s), we will advise you of when and where in Princeton you will be able to schedule an appointment to pick-up your lot(s). Please be aware that auction Lots 800 and up are not in Princeton but, with the exception of a handful of items, these lots are with Guernsey's in New York City.

Condition: More detailed condition reports and additional photographs are available by request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in very fine condition. Please message us through the online bidding platform or email Guernsey's at auctions@guernseys.com to request a more thorough condition report.