1891Celebrated Benary Banjo, $$$?

Subject: RE: 1891Celebrated Benary Banjo, $$$?
From: Fortunato
Date: 04 Jun 02 - 12:39 PM

Thanks, Don. It is rather like new as far as I can tell. regards, Chance

Subject: RE: 1891Celebrated Benary Banjo, $$$?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 04 Jun 02 - 12:09 PM

I had a Benary Banjo once. It played fine and sounded good. Probably Epiphone or GoldStar of the day. Old rule of thumb was the more hooks and brackets the more valuable it was.

If the neck is straight, all the hooks are there, the tuners are up to date, and you can get a new head on it and it sounds good, its worth what it takes to own it.

If its just for a banjo to play, anything over $400.00 and you can get a new one. Or at least more modern if thats an issue.

I wouldn't pay more than $250.00 for one ( Benary) right now unless it was like new.

Don

Subject: 1891Celebrated Benary Banjo, $$$?
From: Fortunato
Date: 04 Jun 02 - 10:18 AM

I'm borrowing from a close friend a banjo and I think he wants to sell it. Neither of us know how much it's worth. "Celebrated Benary" 5 string banjo made in 1891. It has no inlay, but seems soundly made and is in good, playable condition (but what do I know?)). According to Mugwumps (who sold it to him) "Robert H. Benary & Son was a major NYC wholesale & importing company from circa 1880, selling a full range of musical instruments. He claimed to be a manufacturer, but his instruments were imported or made for him and labeled by manufacturers in business to supply instruments to the trade. He was issued a patent in 1886 for a banjo tailpiece. "Celebrated Benary" marked banjos date from the 1890-1898 range and come in a variety of decoration, but they were made by Buckbee and in most respects are identical to their other low to mid-range products. In mid-1890s the company name was changed to "Metropolitan Musical Instrument Co."

Does anyone have an idea of it's value? Opinions? Thanks in advance, Chance