William A. Todd 5-string banjeaurine, Circa 1891
Todd was a San Francisco maker who filed a patent for his banjo design in 1891. Although this is the only Todd banjo I have ever seen, it is an exquisite instrument. The tuners and tailpiece are carved ivory, and the tension band and its fittings are exquisitely engraved and gold plated. The resonator is made of beautiful rare woods, and the back of the resonator and the heel of the neck are beautifully carved. The pearl inlay is also very nice.
