NMM 6072.  Tenor banjo (later converted to five-strings, but original neck/head was saved) by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, ca. 1928.  Florentine model.  Serial number 8761-4.   Board of Trustees, 1997. Gibson's high-end Florentine banjo, introduced in 1927, epitomizes the flamboyant aesthetic of the jazz age. Advertised as "The World's Finest, Most Luxurious Banjo," the Florentine featured a fancifully carved, gilded, and painted coat-of-arms on the resonator, reflecting the later Renaissance Revival style that could also be found on homes and decorative arts of the period. Front, Side, and Back Views Gibson's Florentine model was originally sold as a four-string, tenor banjo. This example was later converted into a five-string instrument, complete with a new neck and peghead set with a Florentine special pearl inlay. Fortunately, the original neck and peghead , with its pearloid veneer, rhinestone ornamentation, and painted scenes of Venice (not Florence!), was preserved and kept with the banjo. Front and Back of Banjo Head Front of banjo head with resonator attached Back of banjo head with resonator removed Arm Rest and Rim Engraving Gold-plated arm rest Side view of arm rest Engraving on gold-plated rim Tailpiece Gold-plated and engraved tailpiece Grover patent tailpiece attachment mechanism Details of Carved and Painted Decoration on Resonator Rim and Neck Heel Original Peghead and Fretboard Note:  Click on highlighted text, the peghead, or any painted fret to see a close-up of that area. The original, pearloid-covered peghead features a white, gold, red, and green rhinestone "ice cream cone" decoration that would catch light on stage. Marketed to those who felt that they needed the very best, whether they be professional entertainers or wealthy, aspiring amateurs, Gibson's catalog reported that "theatre audiences marvel at the sparkling beauty; recording companies are delighted with the tone and radio fans are amazed at the clarity and brilliance of the banjo as they tune in." The original fretboard, covered with pearloid veneer, has nineteen frets and features nine Venetian (not Florentine) scenes (starting immediately below the nut, in descending order): Santa Maria della Salute Church St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) and Campanile Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) San Giorgio Maggiore Church and Campanile, close-up Grand Canal, Santa Maria della Salute Church, and Gondola Island of San Giorgio Maggiore Shoreline and Gondola near St. Mark's Square Church, Campanile, and Buildings on Canal Sailboat in front of Churches and Buildings on Canal Front, Side, and Back Views of Original Peghead Side and Back Views of Original Peghead, Neck, and Neck Heel Side View Back View Back of Heel Side View of Neck Heel Two Views of Serial Number Above:  Serial number stamped in inner wall of rim. Left:  Serial number stamped into original tenor neck. Views of Conversion Neck and New Peghead Click on 5th peg for close-up.   Front view of new peghead with Florentine special pearl inlay.   Back view of new peghead. Gibson Mastertone Guarantee Decal on inside wall of the rim. Literature:  André P. Larson, "Tenor Banjo by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1928," South Dakota Musician, Vol. 33, No. 2 (Winter 1999), cover, p. 20. Margaret Downie Banks, "A Great Gibson Banjo . . . A Florentine Tribute with a Venetian Twist," National Music Museum Newsletter, 35, No. 2 (May 2008), pp. 1-3. Return to Gibson Banjo Checklist National Music Museum The University of South Dakota 414 East Clark Street Vermillion, SD 57069 ©National Music Museum, 2005-2008 Most recent update: September 26, 2008 You are the 8,707th visitor to this page since since May 4, 2005 The University of South Dakota Return to Top of Page