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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/398126
tbchappe - Posted - 07/01/2024: 10:47:02
I was messaged by a friend about a Boucher they'd purchased, hoping it was the real deal. There was a discussion on here a couple of months ago about it. I assured them it was real. The new owner has now left it in my care until at least October to get back into playing condition, and all doubts are gone; IT'S THE REAL DEAL!
Is this Possibly the smallest Boucher?
It has a 10-1/2” rim and a 16-1/2” neck from nut to heel. Possibly the original head, but definitely well over a century old. It has writing in it: "Bought 1876 in Philadelphia"
The inscribing on the neck and rim are matching XI or IX depending on how you look at it.
There’s a lot of paint remaining. The tension hoop shows some corrosion on one side but it’s not awful. Honestly it’s a beautiful specimen and jealousy is the emotion that comes to mind. I do look forward to playing it. I have Gamut strings on the way, and will be making a tailpiece from some scrap Cherry, and I've already made an arched maple bridge for it.
I suspect it may be a slightly later Boucher (1850-1860???). It's a little bit (very slightly) more robust in its construction of the rim, neck, and hardware, but there's no denying its age. I also noticed that the peg head has a sharper angle to its "scroll" shape; something that Hank Schwartz told me indicates a later scroll peghead Boucher.
I've posted pics of it next to my full size original Boucher for comparison.
Blaine
Edited by - tbchappe on 07/01/2024 10:52:35
tbchappe - Posted - 07/01/2024: 11:28:13
Not the smallest Boucher. Thank you Jim Bollman for pointing that out.
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/628865
Tim Jumper - Posted - 07/01/2024: 16:23:36
Whatever the size, that's a sweet old 'jo from the early "hoop" years.
Glad to know it survived.
Alvin Conder - Posted - 07/02/2024: 05:22:58
Not at all surprised, as I have what would be considered a near Piccolo Banjo that is late 1860’s, very early 1870’s, and I have seen the example that Jim pointed out. Great to see another example of Bouchers work.
Very very cool that you have it on loan for a bit. I am amazed at actually how many of these early instruments have made it into our time period intact.
Enjoy the time you have with it.