Hammig Five-String Fretless Banjo

Description:

This banjo was made by Ernst Hammig in New York, New York around 1871-1885. It is a Five-String Fretless Banjo with a rosewood hoop, thirty brackets, rosewood neck, and friction pegs. Many of Hammig’s banjos have a unique carved line on the back of the neck near the 5th string. Hammig was listed at various addresses on Forsyth Street in 19th century New York City Directories as a banjo and musical instrument maker. Stamped on the dowel stick:

E.HAMMIG
NEW YORK

Date Made: 1871-1885

Maker: Hammig, E.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments, Music & Musical Instruments, Banjos

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Made available through the Cooper Union Museum

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: MI.60.1381Catalog Number: 60.1381Accession Number: 227687

Object Name: banjo

Physical Description: rosewood (overall material)metal (overall material)animal skin (overall material)Measurements: overall: 34 1/4 in x 12 in x 2 1/2 in; 86.995 cm x 30.48 cm x 6.35 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-4586-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_605677

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.