Comment by Shawn McSweeny on December 23, 2015 at 16:01

Chris : In my listing Ossman's known instruments  to 1906  there was no suggestion it is definitive, nor that it includes the make of banjo used in the video. In his approx. thirty-five year career, Ossman likely had several more than I listed, but scant evidence remains today. 

As for the banjo in the video, it is easier to tell what makes it is not, rather than what it is. If I had to guess though, an Orpheum with a whopping big rim, likely a Brass Band, would also be my choice.

Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 23, 2015 at 16:14

LOL. I have an Orpheum Brass Band tenor...which has a 14" rim. That tenor neck looks like a toothpick on that big pot. Amazingly, the frets on the neck are worn to a nub...right down the full length of the neck. Somebody played the daylights out of it for a long time!

Comment by Jody Stecher on December 23, 2015 at 16:36

Any chance that the frets were filed down?  

Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 23, 2015 at 17:17

Not a chance, honest wear 'n' tear. I think whoever owned it must have had some genetic anomaly, probably had forearms like Popeye. I wouldn't have wanted to test his grip against mine!

Comment by Steve Harrison on December 24, 2015 at 17:25

After hearing what you have to put up with, I'll never complain about English weather again!

Comment by Trapdoor2 on December 25, 2015 at 1:15

Unfortunately, it makes us residents of "Tornado Alley" a bit peculiar. I mean, once you've seen a cow fly past your window, everything else looks somewhat tame. ;-)

This is why we all like Ossman numbers down here. 

Comment by Benjamin Stephens on February 9, 2016 at 18:02

Hello everyone!

So, as promised, I have finally put together some of the best photos from the family! It has been crazy the amount of things my mother and I have found going through everything from my grandfather.  There are many pictures, old posters from the shows, diaries from Helen Sr. and Jr., and even three cylinder recordings! I will begin posting the pictures and I will try my best to point out who is who! Thank you all again for your appreciation of my grandparents work, and for your information regarding a side of the family I previously thought forgotten!

Comment by Benjamin Stephens on February 9, 2016 at 18:06

Comment by Benjamin Stephens on February 9, 2016 at 18:07

Comment by Benjamin Stephens on February 9, 2016 at 18:28

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