WILLIAM E. BOUCHER JR. (1822-1899), BALTIMORE, MARYLAND BANJO, the hardwood neck retains some of its original rosewood graining to the back and is set with a brass plate to the upper half; the headstock has an early well-done repair of a conforming sheet-iron/tin plate added to the front and back; the hickory bentwood shell with scalloped bottom edge to accept the tension clamps, a sheet-iron rim, and an early calfskin head, "X" mark to inner edge of interior dowel and to interior block. Stamped "W. BOUCHER JR" and "BALTIMORE" to the back of the neck. Circa 1850. 37 1/2" LOA, 12 1/4" D.
Catalogue Note: William Esperance Boucher Jr. is credited as the earliest professional maker of banjos. He emigrated from Germany to Baltimore, where he manufactured banjos and drums, in addition to selling a wide range of instruments. Examples of his banjos can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Museum of American History, and the Museum of Fine Art in Boston. Banjos made by Boucher rarely come to the market.

The important collection of H. Marshall Goodman Jr., Richmond, VA.

Very good as-found condition, slight separation to one side of neck above the shell, one tuning peg lacking head, lacking tailpiece.