Yosco No. 3 Plectrum Banjo, S/N 539, Circa 1920
Lawrence Yosco adverstised instruments in NY City from around the turn of the century until the 1930's. This is a fine example of his arch-top, internal resonator banjo. While he was granted a patent for this design in 1918, the elegant backstrapping on the walnut neck and the tasteful fingerboard inlays suggest that this instrument (at least the neck) was probably built by Rettberg & Lange. The inlay pattern on the fingerboard is identical to one found on Lyon & Healy Professional banjos from this period, also probably made by R&L.