Cabinet Card of a Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Club, c. 1890's

Cabinet Card of a Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Club (Lutz & De Vol, North Side Photographers photographer), c. 1890's, Sullivan, Indiana.

Here's a rather distinguished string ensemble of young gentlemen dressed in evening clothes. Perhaps they're a collegiate club and the older-looking gentleman (second from the left) is their music professor or faculty advisor. From the 1880's on through the early 1900's, students often formed small ensembles, referred to as "clubs," which featured popular fretted string instruments, especially the banjo, mandolin and guitar.

This sextet features two bowl-back mandolins on the left, a pair of 5-string "standard" banjos in the center and a duo of parlor guitars on the right. The banjo in the center back row appears to be a "Professional" model from Lyon & Healy, while the one in the first row might be a Gatcomb. The guitar in the front row sports a flattened pyramid bridge which was a distinctive feature of Lyon & Healy's Washburn guitars; the front mandolin may also be a Washburn.
 
Height is 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.), 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm.) width

Despite quite a bit of foxing in the center of the photo due to wear, the photo's image is very clear and distinct with good lightning and contrast. The plain backing card has gold edges which are both beveled and scalloped, dating the card from 1885 to 1892. Very Good + Condition.

Item # 1586
 
$100.00