Vintage 1917 Vega "Little Wonder" 17-Fret Tenor Banjo - Rare 10-3/4" Rim w/ Factory Matching Pie Resonator & Incredible Provenance
Up for sale is an absolute time-capsule of early American jazz history: a late 1917 Vega Little Wonder 17-fret short-scale tenor banjo (Serial #34567).
This is an exceptionally rare transitional build featuring a highly coveted 10-3/4" multi-ply maple rim—a non-standard size typical of Vega's premium Whyte Laydie builds. The factory dowel stick bears a unique dual "Little Wonder" and "Whyte Laydie" factory designation, showcasing the premium scalloped tone ring build hidden under the flesh hoop.
Best of all, it features an original, factory-matched 8-piece curly maple "pie-pan" resonator. The interior wood of the resonator features the handwritten matching serial number (34567), the "Little Wonder" script, and the original "The Vega Co. Boston, Mass" stamps, verifying 100% historical completeness.
The Provenance & Story:
This instrument carries an unbroken line of historical documentation. Its original owner was Robert McClean of Pennsylvania. Robert was a student and a proud member of the elite Hill School Mandolin Club in Pottstown, PA. The original hardshell case still wears his original handwritten ID tag, the official Hill School decal ("Whatsoever things are true"), and a spectacular, brightly colored vintage baggage sticker from the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line) ocean liner system, documenting that Robert sailed with this banjo across the Atlantic on luxury steamships between New York and France.
Included "Case Candy" Treasures:
Tucked inside the original purple-velvet-lined accessory pocket are the original owner’s personal practice gear:
A vintage 1920s Grover spring-loaded metal bridge mute (value $40+)
An unopened vintage pack of National Musical String Co. "Black Diamond" steel tenor strings
A loose, original replacement grained-celluloid tuner button and screw (matches the missing peg post!)
Condition Report (Sold As-Is for Restoration):
This banjo is structurally incredibly sound but is sold uncleaned and un-strung as an authentic "closet find."
The Neck & Headstock:
The neck is remarkably straight. The cosmetic dark pearwood headstock veneer has a standard center seam shrinkage line. One tuner button is missing from the post but the original replacement is included inside the case pocket. There are old tape residue marks on the sides of the neck, where it meets the body.
The Rim & Pot:
The rim is structurally excellent. It still retains its legendary, original Jos. B. Rogers Jr. 3-Star (XXX) premium calfskin head intact and untorn! One tension hook hex nut is sitting slightly crooked and needs to be re-threaded flush.
The Case:
The original fitted hard case is intact with its original handle, but has expected heavy scuffing, a missing latch, a missing hinge pin, and some structural wood splitting along the bottom edge rim that can be easily glued/clamped.
This is an unmissable opportunity for a serious collector or traditional Irish tenor player to own a fully-documented, factory-original piece of 1917 Boston craftsmanship with a remarkable transatlantic story
Pick up in Middleboro,
Will deliver for an additional fee, depending on mileage.
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