Can you point me to any referances on Yosco banjos?
Lawrence L. Yosco was an instrument maker in New York City from circa 1900. Guitars and round back mandolins bearing his name have been seen. In 1918 he was issued a patent for a banjo rim with internal resonator. These were marketed by the Felix Ferdinando Manufacturing Co. in the 1920s. A 1927 article described Felix Ferdinando as an orchestra leader with interests in several restaurants and resort establishments. The banjos were probably made to order by one of the large manufacturers and labelled. The instruments were distributed by Perlberg and Halpin, a major New York musical merchandise wholesaler and jobber. Q: I am hoping that you may have some information on a mandolin my Grandmother gave me. It has a paper label, J.F. Stetson & Co. Makers. My grandmothers home was the officers quarters for the Arsenal in Rome, N.Y. during the Civil War and she believed that the mandolin was probably left behind when the Arsenal was closed. TM A: J.F.Stetson was a brand name used by W.J. Dyer
