Dan Bryant's Early Banjo

This is an interesting series of photos of Dan Bryant (of Bryant's Minstrels) featuring a dilapidated "early banjo." It seems to be an important prop to him based on how many photos he uses it in.

The tailpiece shows holes for four strings, though it appears only two are present and those look to be for show only.

The peg head has various holes with no tuning pegs, the "string" merely tied on.

There is a "thumb string" hump on the side of the neck. It is very close to the rim and not in the usual position closer to the peg head.

Dan Bryant was born in 1833 and died April 10, 1875. He was one of the early minstrels, first appearing on stage in 1845 at Vauxhall Garden, NYC.

He played with and knew Frank Converse as well as Dan Emmet.

I feel this banjo deserves a close look.