E. D. Lewis “Champion” 5-string banjo, Circa 1880’s
Lewis was a New York maker (re-seller?) whose banjos may have actually been made by Buckbee. They usually feature both metal and pearl inlays, as does this example. Interestingly, this banjo has an independent tone ring, held in place by two small brackets, one of which is visible behind the dowel stick in the photo below
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