198.             $200

Early New England banjo, ca. 1830.  An early mahogany case with gilding around the front – I think it has been redone, as it is like new.  The dial glass is period but the putty is recent, the throat and box glasses are newer and have been reverse-painted nicely, including gilding.  The throat glass is broken at the top and has been glued.  The 8-inch iron dial must hold the original paint, with some fading and considerable soiling; there are four notches that match the only holes present in the case, arguing that it is original to the case.  The matched hands are period and typical.  The banjo movement is unsigned and mounts with diagonal bolts; it is driven by an iron banjo weight and is running.  There is a tin weight shield at the bottom and a pendulum tie-down.  There are three service labels from a repair shop in Chicago, the earliest dating to 1923.  I think polishing the bezel would help it to match the bright gilding on the case front.  $200–$400.