Kate Spencer founder and former owner of Maple Leaf Music has recently launched an archive website (http://aesmithbanjo.com) for the A.E. Smith Banjo Company which she was the co-owner of in the 1970's. This archival website is a wealth of information where you can see images, original catalogs and the history of this New England Company. Kate is currently looking for current owners to send photographs and quotes so she can build out the website's portfolio.
"Arthur Smith banjos are my offering to the world. They will be enjoyed, played, and treasured, and they will outlive me by many, many years."
~ Kate Spencer
Maple Leaf Music usually sees one of these beauties come through its doors a couple times a year. The most recent banjo from A.E. Smith that we had in the store is the Shelburne, a wonderful example of the artistry and tonal characteristics of the A.E. Smith banjos. Here's a video clip of Christian playing some clawhammer:
Arthur E. Smith Banjo Company Time-Line
1973 - October. Kate and Mark decide to start a banjo company in Leverett Center, Mass. at The Leverett Craftsman and Artists (LCA) where Mark is making dulcimers. We start out with $600 and a table saw
1974 - January 25. Mahogany Northampton #81, our first instrument, is sold to Tony Creamer at Fretted Instrument Workshop in Amherst, Mass.
1975 - First catalog, 1 piece hand-lettered two fold single sheet 8 1/2×15”with 6 pages.
1977 - January 4 A.E.Smith incorporates as a Sub-Chapter S corporation. Total assets and inventory $9,472.00
1977 - January. Second catalog released with January, 1977 price list. First soft cover catalog with separate price list. Cream colored with black ink. Victorian ornate cover. (See web site home page) 6 ½”x 9 ½ “ with 16 pages.
1977 - August-September. Move to 30 Olive St. Greenfield Mass.
1978 - April. Third catalog issued, soft cover. Same cover design as 1997 catalog. Individual price lists, both dealer and retail. First price list printed April 1, 1978 and the second on May 1, 1979. Pale green with black ink. 6”x 9”with 20 pages.
1978 - September 29, 1978-August 5th 1979. A.E. Smith Shelburne ll with heel carving featured at the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
1979 - April. Frets article on A.E.Smith comes out.
1979 - July 4. Kate’s last day of work at A.E.Smith Banjo Company. She leaves to start Maple Leaf Music in Brattleboro, Vermont.
1980 - Spring. A.E. Smith moves to Old Mill Rd. Shelburne Falls, Mass. 01370.
1980 - March 31. Last catalog with individual insert sheets for each banjo. Buff cover, cream pages with brown ink. Same cover design as last two catalogs, but missing top part of Victorian design. Retail and dealer’s price list. 6 ¼”x 10”.
1981 - Spring. Business closes when recession hits.
