Will van Allen 'Revelation' ukulele banjo

Vintage

4 String ukulele Banjo

 Label states:-

‘REVELATION’

‘WILL VAN ALLEN’

Made Circa 1927

•    Body – ‘Mahogany’ - 8½ inches diam. (216 mm) x 2⅜

     inches deep (60 mm)  x ¼ inch (6 mm) thick with

     clear varnish finish.

•    Bezel – Chromed Steel     

•    Head – Goatskin Vellum - New - with 12 tensioners.

•    Peghead, Neck & Fingerboard – ‘Ash’

•    Frets – 17 No.

•    Pegs – Friction – Hardwood

•    Fully Strung – New - Nylgut

•    Weight – 1.04 kilograms (37 ounces).

•    Overall Length – 635 mm (25 inches).

•    Instrument Condition - Excellent

 Will Van Allen (Real Name William Dodds) was a highly successful variety entertainer who used the Banjo in his act at the turn of the century (1900). He conducted a successful Banjo Teaching Studio at 38 Newington Butts, London, but his increasing professional engagements made it necessary for him to finally give up teaching and in 1902 he toured the U.S.A. for twelve months.

 He went into partnership in 1926 at a Music Shop at 66 Charing Cross Road, London with Olly Oakley who was an entertainer, dance band leader and composer. The “Will Van Allen" Banjos were well made instruments that appear to have been products of the John G. Abbott workshops in London. He dissolved his partnership with "Olly Oakley" in 1929 or 1930 and very few Will Van Allen Banjos appear to have been sold after this date.