‘Dulcetta’ Banjolele with Case and Sheet Music

A banjo ukulele sits in the centre of a white background. The banjo has only two strings and three pegs.
A banjolele case made of faux leather and lined with pale blue cotton fabric sits in the middle of a white background. The case lid is open and shows a small compartment inside the case which is also open and has tuning pegs, a pick, a capo, and a wooden banjo bridge.

Object Identification

  • Object Name: ‘Dulcetta’ banjolele/ banjolin with case and sheet music
  • Date: Early 20th Century
  • Origin: made by John Grey and Sons Ltd. London
  • Measurements: L 54 cm x W 19.5 cm x D 6.5 cm
  • Materials: wood, cotton fabric, faux leather, metal, paper, mother of pearl

Summary

With 8 pegs it was made as a banjolin/ banjo mandolin, however the original owner played it as a banjolele with only 4 strings. He was Headteacher at a primary school in Ashby-de-la-Launde, Lincolnshire from the 1930s-1960s, he was a musical person, playing the church organ. The sheet music kept in the case is handwritten and contains 5 songs, each with the tuning, lyrics, and drawn chords. There is also an envelope addressed to him, a capo, a faux tortoiseshell pick, and two wooden bridges. After receiving the object, materials were identified through combinations of XRF, microscope analysis, a magnet test, solvent testing, and research.

This object was conserved by Billie Newton. Find out more about him by clicking on the profile below!

Billie Newton