J.M. Turner 5-string banjo, Circa 1890

Not much is known about John M. Turner of New York, but this banjo looks to have been made by Buckbee for him, so he may have been a teacher or a reseller.  Nevertheless, this banjo, which is really a ladies' banjo, has its own unique charm, with lovely and unusual pearl and metal inlay work on the peghead and fingerboard including an artistic cricket and a frog playing a banjo.

Back to Home Page