vintagebanjo.redbubble.com We've got banjo-themed t-shirts and sweatshirts, stickers and magnets, notebooks, cushions, phone cases, water bottles and cups, bags, backpacks and hats, and an apron. What more could you want? All purchases will support the running costs and research efforts of VBM, and you'll have a lovely banjo gift for someone else or yourself! Come on over and take a look at vintagebanjo.redbubble.com and look out for regular special offers and discounts. Everything is printed and posted in a country near you, so worldwide delivery is available.

Apologies for being away and thanks to our resident designer Ginny for putting the site back together. Our website host was taken over, then subbed out to someone else. Needless to say it has taken ages to find where it ended up and get it back online. In honey news... while we have been away we have been working on a massive project in Africa called ApiTrace. The whole of Africa contributes just 0.15% of the worlds honey exports as 98% is produced domestically, mostly by women and girls, and we are bringing the market for their honey to the rural community. Drop us an email if you want to receive regular updates, or visit www.bee.watch, www.theafricapicultureconsortium.org www.beespace.xyz. The project meets 14 of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. "bzzzz... VBM website is around here somewhere..." Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash

We get all sorts of feedback from people, mostly friendly and Michael Wright, rightly wanted to put right the middle S in S S Stewart. The name Swaim first appears among the early Vikings who arrived and settled in Scotland in the medieval era. It’s derived from the Old English personal name Swein, originating from the Old Norse name Sveinn. Stewart is of Scottish origin from the old English word stigeweardmeaning “hall” “warden” and hence latterly the word steward. Michael also sent us a picture of the SS Stewart factory in Philly taken in 2011, Stewart's buildings being those with the grey-painted facade. This is just off N. 2nd Street in Old City. You could travel London looking for the premises of old makers like Dallas, Essex, Weaver, Scarth or Temlett but the blitz destroyed so much of these historic buildings and their makers records.

Ball, Beavon & Co < Back Ball, Beavon & Co .. established a wholesale musical instrument business at 31 Aldermanbury, London, EC in the 1880's and subsequently in Pinder Street, Bishopsgate, London. Although they marketed banjos bearing their name as maker they were made by Matthew and Houghton of Birmingham. They also sold SS Stewart banjos during the 1890's which were stamped on the dowel stick Ball, Beavon & Co London, under the neck clamp, alongside the Stewart label. In the days of the 7-string banjo, they sold an unfretted instrument with 40 brackets on the hoop and fitted with push in pegs. The firm went out of business during the First World War, probably due to the cessation of supplies and of cheap musical instruments and merchandise from the Continent. Images courtesy of Jim Leith Previous Next

Riley - Baker < Back Riley - Baker ... see Joseph Riley Pictures courtesy of Skip Sail Previous Next

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