C1893 W. A. Cole Eclipse Man in the Moon Open Back Banjo Nylgut Strings

Some banjos come through the shop, and you know they've been loved. This one is a genuine William A. Cole "Eclipse," built in Boston during the banjo's golden age, and it's the real thing — no reissue, no reproduction, just a beautifully preserved piece of 19th-century American craftsmanship.

The star of the show is the peghead: the famed "Man in the Moon" pearl inlay, rendered with the kind of hand-cut precision that made Cole's instruments the envy of the trade. It's whimsical and elegant at once, the sort of detail that stops a fellow banjo player mid-sentence when they spot it across a room.

This example has come down remarkably well over the years. The original finish still glows with a warm, honeyed patina rather than the dulled or stripped look you so often find on instruments this old. Hardware, rim, and neck all show minimal wear — the kind of survival story that makes a dealer's day. Original tension hoop, original tailpiece, and that unmistakable Eclipse tone: bright, articulate, with the woody snap that made these Boston-made banjos so prized among old-time and classic players alike.

Cole's banjos were considered top-tier instruments in their day, built to compete with the best Fairbanks and Stewart had to offer, and this Eclipse holds its own admirably. It's equally at home on a wall as a museum-quality centerpiece or in the hands of a player who wants an authentic period voice.

Instruments like this — original, honest, and well-kept — don't turn up often. Serious inquiries only; condition photos available upon request.

* The information presented here was collected from the estate of Marvin Rosenberg and independent research. It is accurate to the best of our ability.