1926 Vtg Paramount Style A Wm. L. Lange Melody "Short Scale" Banjolele Mandolin

Description

This is a 4 string instrument. Looks like a mix between banjo mandolin and Ukelele w 4 strings rather than 8
Comes w Personal Letter from Wm Lange's employee (HG) to owner (of 10 years)  dated Dec 8 1936 regarding the purchase of the hardcase as seen in listing. (Zipper does not function)
I dont play banjos or mandolins so I dont know much about these instruments.  I found one very similar online. Mine is a style A.  The one in video is a Style B.
The Melody banjo is somewhat of a rare find from my research.  Sort of a 4 string Mandolin
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2023/05/1920s-paramount-lange-style-b-melody.html
Found this on the net regarding Lange Made Paramount banjos..
...."The basic Paramount design was by William Lange (who also designed Langestyle, Orpheum, and the Recording Epiphones) which consisted of a laminated neck, a thick rim, and the Lange tone ring which was a ring supported by many metal pieces stuck into the rim.
Paramounts have a distinctive sound, are loud and usually very good banjos, especially at the professional levels mentioned above. (There is also a Paramount Junior that has the same tone ring and design that was the lowest on the totem/price pole.)
The woods used in the instruments do make a difference. Maple tends to be brighter, Mahogany mellower, walnut in the middle. The higher grade banjos have more expensive (and prettier) wood in them such as rosewood, holly, and ebony. MOs tof the other banjo makers did the same thing with their banjos, the fancier they are, the rarer the wood and the more carving, marquetry, etc. on the banjos.
The woods can make a difference in sound, I have a Leedy banjo with a Paramount rosewood neck on it that is a wonderful banjo. I have not played a Leedy with the stock neck on it that sounds as good.
But the lower grade Paramounts are still professional level banjos and are a good bargain in the States (kgriffin is from the Midwest) so no matter which one you get, as long as the neck is OK, you will have a nice sounding instrument...."