The last Vibrante Royal ever made?

[Steven Watson]

I received this banjo today, which was described in the auction as the last Vibrante Royal ever made. This isn't why I bought it but I'd nevertheless be curious to know if it's true. Perhaps someone here can help? I'd certainly be grateful. The serial number is 5563 285. Inside the case was a print out identifying this number as the last one made (see photos below).

There was also a 1939 letter inside from what looks like F.C. Musselbrook to a Mr Watson. This is of particular interest to me as Watson is my surname too...! I'd be curious to know who he was.

Lastly, and I don't know if this is of interest, but just in case, there were several original unused gut 3rds in the case, labelled 'D'Arblay House / Cammeyer / 10 Poland St. London', as well as two wire 2nds, one red gut 3rd, and some wound strings, possibly silk. There is also a 1935 receipt for a full set of Cammeyer zither banjo strings.

[Steven Watson]

When messaging Keith about the Cammeyer, I asked what other archival material he has and he said he is trying to sell his collection of banjo history and ephemera. Many boxes. Not an option for me, but perhaps someone here?

[Joel Hooks]

Ah, "sell"... that could be a problem.  While previously this banjo paper had monetary value, that seems to have suddenly come to an end.  There is no doubt that it has immeasurable cultural value, but money, not so much. 

And this is a concern.  Here is the scenerio:

Owner wants to sell.  Cannot find a buyer.  Owner passes.  Family, distraught and racing against a clock with the estate, also does not find a buyer.  Generally, "stuff" (including banjos) are easy to see some "value" in, old, dusty, yellow paper, not so much.  So to the dump it goes. 

libraries, museums, etc., do not want it.  Universities or music schools might, but they will need a lot of money along with it.  It takes space, people, equipment, and shelving and all cost a lot of money.  I'm guessing the high six figures would be a start.  If this is the plan, make sure the institution knows about it and have an agreement in writing.  Regularly check to see if this agreement is still a thing with each change of personal. 

It is also possible that an institution will take it, then take it to the dump when the see what it is (and the general racist material included). 

[Steven Watson]

Plus, there are serious budget problems and therefore no guarantee that even if a library/archive took them, that they would keep them in the long term. I recently went to rescue some guitar journals from a university library that had closed down. Unlit rooms and half-empty shelves, abandoned. A grim sight.

Keith said he has a couple interested buyers, but they seem to only be interested in specific, limited parts of the collection. Ideally someone would come along and buy the whole thing, keep it together...

[Joel Hooks]

I have first hand experience with this situation. The problem with "take it all" is that the vast majority of it will be common, already scanned and available British music. 

I recently inherited the paper of The Elias Kaufman.  It is a lot... about 3000 lbs in total.  My goal is to scan every slip of paper in the collection and post, share, and make available to everyone at no cost.  The cost ot me is pretty sizable in time.  And I expect this scanning to go on for years. 

While this paper did not have any monetary "value" to speak of really, it is of such social and cultural relevance that it is invaluable. 

That said, I have a lot of duplication and a good amount is already on this website. 

[Jody Stecher]

I agree about it its value. And I thank you for your time and effort.  Your time also has value.

More than we few on this forum appreciate what you have preserved and will come to appreciate it in the future.

Joel Hooks said:

I have first hand experience with this situation. The problem with "take it all" is that the vast majority of it will be common, already scanned and available British music. 

I recently inherited the paper of The Elias Kaufman.  It is a lot... about 3000 lbs in total.  My goal is to scan every slip of paper in the collection and post, share, and make available to everyone at no cost.  The cost ot me is pretty sizable in time.  And I expect this scanning to go on for years. 

While this paper did not have any monetary "value" to speak of really, it is of such social and cultural relevance that it is invaluable. 

That said, I have a lot of duplication and a good amount is already on this website. 

[Richard William Ineson]

Thanks for making all of this historic banjo paper available to the world Joel. A mighty task. Most of this stuff has been kept secret for many years with access to it given to only a very few privileged persons. Regarding the Cammeyer records, I am sure that someone told me, many years ago, that Eli copied these ledgers when he was on holiday in London in the 1960s. In those days copying was not as easy as it is now, perhaps he copied the entries by hand?

Joel Hooks said:

I have first hand experience with this situation. The problem with "take it all" is that the vast majority of it will be common, already scanned and available British music. 

I recently inherited the paper of The Elias Kaufman.  It is a lot... about 3000 lbs in total.  My goal is to scan every slip of paper in the collection and post, share, and make available to everyone at no cost.  The cost ot me is pretty sizable in time.  And I expect this scanning to go on for years. 

While this paper did not have any monetary "value" to speak of really, it is of such social and cultural relevance that it is invaluable. 

That said, I have a lot of duplication and a good amount is already on this website.