195.               $300

Early Boston area banjo, ca. 1835. A 32-inch mahogany case with attractive glasses.  The front veneer is good with two possible corner repairs, and a wood bezel. The throat glass is old and may hold the original paint and gilding, while the dial and box glasses are modern, with a repainted tablet of the USS Constitution defeating the HMS Guerriere in a battle off Nova Scotia in August 1812.  There are polished brass side-arms and a wood finial.  The iron dial is held in place with two L-turns and is badly chipping, with light soiling.  The moon hands are period and proper.  The 8-day, time-only movement is unsigned, with a t-bridge suspension and a straight click pawl, making it difficult to identify a maker; it is mounted with diagonal back plate bolts.  There is a cast iron weight, and it is running nicely.  A tin weight shield and pendulum tie-down bar, but the clip is lost.  No label, of course.  The matching glasses make this an attractive early banjo.  $300–$500.