Sweeney Banjo

[Dan Gibson]

Is there any information -- text, drawing, photo, etc.  -- of the banjo Joel Sweeney used during his days as a traveling minstrel in the U.S. and British Isles?  I've seen photos of the left-hander he made for his niece and played a Hartel replica this weekend, but have not been able to uncover any other information on other banjos he (or brother Sam)  made/used. 

Also, was the banjo he made for his niece a one-off or did he produce others (as I understand it collaboration with William Boucher)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Mark Weems]

Dan,

 

Check out Bob Carlin's book on Joe Sweeney. He has a whole chapter dealing with tactile Sweeney banjo evidence.