L.B. Gatcomb Company Banjo

c.1920. L.B. Gatcomb Company. "Gatcomb Standard." Made in Massachusetts. Marquetry around internal rim. Exquisite inlays, including on heel cap. Length: 90cm.

One of the most popular banjo manufacturers of the 19th Century was the L.B. Gatcomb Co., founded by Lincoln B. Gatcomb of Hancock, Maine. After moving to Boston, he established himself as an instrument maker and music publisher, and stringed instruments bearing the Gatcomb name were sold between 1875 and 1900. Gatcomb's range of banjos which included ÒThe Amateur," ÒThe Student," Òthe Standard," ÒThe Lansing," ÒThe Special," and ÒThe Peerless." These instruments are prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Gatcomb still exists today, but has transitioned to largely a guitar manufacturer. The company, however, is presently working to create a registry of Gatcomb banjos and mandolins, both of which Gatcomb Co. states as "notably rare" items.

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.

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.