Clifton Hicks

S.S. Stewart "Champion" Banjo (1890s)

Added 2018-10-28 00:56:48 +0000 UTC

Here is the first of a new batch of 13 banjos I have acquired from two private collections. If you are in the market for quality, vintage banjos contact me at clifhicks(at)gmail(dot)com and we find something for you in the future.

Identifying SS Stewart Banjos:

"Samuel S. Stewart first made banjos in 1878. His adoption of the 'silver wrapped rim' (for which, in a speech and later in a self-published booklet titled The Banjo Philosophically he credited the development to two Troy, NY banjo makers, William Farham and Albert Wilson) set him apart in the early years before such rims became most common. He developed the short-necked banjeaurine with a 12" or 13" head around 1885 but never applied for a patent. Over the years he used several different name stamps to identify his instruments. In 1888 he began using his peg-head shaped trademark. In 1893 he contracted with Sears to produce Acme banjos. The patented heavy metal neck fastener was introduced in 1887. In 1894 or 1895 the adjustable neck fastener replaced the earlier, non-adjustable one, on all banjos listed at $20 and above, although in the 1896 catalog, both are shown, as is the trade mark for the Thoroughbred banjos which was probably in use for at least 10 years before it was registered. In January 1898 Stewart joined with George Bauer, who had been in business himself manufacturing guitars and mandolins from circa 1894." http://www.mugwumps.com/sss_date.html