This tenor banjo is thought to have been made by the Slingerland Musical Instrument Mfg Co sometime in the 1930s. At that time, instrument makers were willing to make an instrument and brand it with whatever name requested, and so this one is labeled Florence. This banjo, like many from its time is covered in pearloid, a celluloid product that looked somewhat like pearl. The Slingerland Musical Instrument Mfg. Co. was based in Chicago, Illinois and was owned and operated by H.H. Slingerland. The company changed names several times, including The Slingerland Banjo Company, Slingerland Banjo and Drum Company and others.