W. A. Cole’s “Eclipse” 5-string banjo model 4000, S/N 3959, Circa 1897
This beautiful banjo was next to the top-of-the-line in the Cole catalog, and features very nice engraved pearl on the peghead and fingerboard, a long ebony backstrap, and a beautifully carved heel. The pearl inlay on the peghead is similar to that found on some Fairbanks instruments from the same period.