S. S. Stewart Champion Presentation 5-string banjo, S/N 13322, circa 1890's.
From the collection of Akira Tsumura and featured on page 179 of his book 1001 Banjos: The Tsumura collection. This is a presentation grade piece with a figural carving of a Lion’s head on the heel of the cherry neck. Other fancy appointments include tastefully engraved pearl in the fingerboard and and extremely ornate peghead. The the nickel silver exterior of the rim is engraved and the hooks, nuts, shoes, interior bolts and tension hoop, are gold plated. The plating appears new, but originally in the catalog they were listed as gold plated. The interior of the rim is adorned with fancy, colorful marquetry, and the dowel stick is carved and inlaid with a celluloid plaque reading "Champion S.S. Stewart".
