1881 H.C. Dobson silver bell banjo from H.R.H Prince of Wales


About one of the most important banjos in the Hamamatsu City Musical Instrument Museum, from the Reuben Reubens collection to the Tsumura collection

This Dobson silver bell banjo from the former Tsumura collection comes with a metal plate.
It is described as follows.

"presented to
BIRDIE BRIGHTLING
Opera Comique
London 28th Nov.1881
from
H.R.H Prince of Wales"

Dobson silver bell banjo patent day
is 8th Nov.1881

Isn't this the world's first banjo with a tone ring?

BIRDIE BRIGHTLING seems to be the stage name of Miss Alice Lyman.It was specified in the note: description at the bottom.

http://www.vintagebanjomaker.com/dobson-hc/4594323409

An article in B.M.G. Magazine in 1910, when King Edward VII was demise, has such an explanation.

In 1860,September, he entered the United States from Canada. After spending three months visiting various parts of the United States, Bertie's name recognition in the United States was outstanding and he was welcomed in various parts of the United States. He was also welcomed by President James Buchanan at the White House in Washington. He visited the United States just before the American Civil War.

During this time,Britain's unique banjo culture grew until Prince Edward presented this banjo at the age of 40 in 1881.

Clarke Buehling said:

Alfred Cammeyer which included his teaching banjo to Edward, Prince of Wales and attending social functions at which Cammeyer performed.

Does anyone know when that was?

Satoshi 

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Hi Satoshi,

Cammeyer mentions playing at Sandringham in January 1892, in his book, 'My Adventuresome Banjo', this performance was at the Duke of Clarence's birthday party, (he was Edward's and Alexandra's eldest son) presumably Edward was present but may not have been. Cammeyer played at a few Stately Homes, amongst them Waddesdon Manor the Rothschild's country residence, Royalty would certainly have been present on some of these occasions. Clifford Essex played for Edward when he was still the Prince of Wales, on the Royal Yacht at Cowes in August 1891, Essex blagged his way on to the yacht with Kate Sampey and the other Pierrot in the 'Pierrot Banjo Team' who was Henry Spurling I think, from memory. Incidentally, Prince Albert Victor, the Duke of Clarence, died shortly after this birthday party, although banjo playing was not thought to have had  anything to do with this sad event. The D of C was a bit of a lad and was reputed to have been involved in what was known as the 'Cleveland Street scandal', he was also considered to be one of the suspects in the 'Jack the Ripper murders. After the D of C died his fiancee Princess May of Teck was passed on to his brother George and became Queen Mary when Edward V11 died in 1910.

Interesting.

I read somewhere that Cammeyer was a suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders? Maybe both?

Yes Par, Cammeyer arrived in England in 1888, the year that the Jack the Ripper murders commenced, the 'Ripper' was supposed to have an American accent which also put Cammeyer 'in the frame' as they say.

Pär Engstrand said:

Interesting.

I read somewhere that Cammeyer was a suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders? Maybe both?

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