Music & Musical Instruments

The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.

This flugelhorn was made by Elbridge G. Wright in Boston, Massachusetts, about 1863. It is a presentation flugelhorn in E-flat, made of nickel silver, with 3 string-action side-action rotary valves, and a screw adjusting lead pipe. Accessioned with period case.
Description

This flugelhorn was made by Elbridge G. Wright in Boston, Massachusetts, about 1863. It is a presentation flugelhorn in E-flat, made of nickel silver, with 3 string-action side-action rotary valves, and a screw adjusting lead pipe. Accessioned with period case. This instrument is engraved:

Presented by the
Members of the 3d Brigade Band3d Div: 9th A.C.
TO
Wm. Critchley, Jr.
LEADER
July 4th 1863
Made by
E.G. WRIGHT,
Boston

The United States National Park Service Civil War database lists William J. Critchley as a principal musician and band leader serving in the Brigade Band (2nd/3rd Brigades, 1st-3rd Divisions, 7th/18th/24th Army Corps).

Elbridge G. Wright (1811-1871) began making musical instruments in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1839. By 1842, Wright moved to Boston, Massachusetts and made musical instruments under his own name or in partnership until 1869.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1863
ID Number
MI.066624
catalog number
66624
accession number
232422
This roller organ roll was likely made by the Munroe Organ Reed Company in Worcester, Mashachusetts, around 1880-1883. It was sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a perforated Clariona roll, No. 19, 31 feet.
Description (Brief)

This roller organ roll was likely made by the Munroe Organ Reed Company in Worcester, Mashachusetts, around 1880-1883. It was sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a perforated Clariona roll, No. 19, 31 feet. The roll plays the following tunes:

Little Beauty Waltz
Bella Waltz
Home Waltz

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This Clariona roll (19) listed in an 1880s J. Howard Foote catalog, sold for $1.40.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880 - 1883
ID Number
MI.072882
accession number
12809
catalog number
72882
This roller organ was likely made by the Munroe Organ Reed Company in Worcester, Mashachusetts, about 1882. It was sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a Clariona model, Serial #988252, made of walnut with 14 brass reeds.
Description (Brief)

This roller organ was likely made by the Munroe Organ Reed Company in Worcester, Mashachusetts, about 1882. It was sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a Clariona model, Serial #988252, made of walnut with 14 brass reeds. This instrument plays 8" wide perforated paper rolls and operates by a hand cranked vacuum system. Printed on a paper label:

THE REED-PIPE CLARIONA

This instrument features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #73080 dated January 7, 1868, by Jonas Berger for an improvement in key-coupling for musical instruments.

U. S. Patent #203257 dated May 7, 1878, by Merritt Gally for improvements in musical instruments. Reissue #8856 dated August 19, 1879.

U. S. Patent #222030 dated November 25, 1879, by Merritt Gally for improvements in musical instruments.

U. S. Patent #236275 dated January 4, 1881, by Frank Stone for improvements in valve devices for organ-bellows.

U. S. Patent #252844 dated January 24, 1882, by Henry B. Morris and Lucien A. Brott assignors to The Autophone Company for improvements in mechanical musical instruments.

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This make and style of reed pipe clariona as listed in an 1880s J. Howard Foote catalog, sold for $8.00.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1882
ID Number
MI.072881
accession number
12809
catalog number
72881
This roller organ roll was likely made by the Munroe Organ Reed Company in Worcester, Mashachusetts, around 1880-1883. It was sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a perforated paper Clariona roll, No. 15, 19-3/4 feet.
Description (Brief)

This roller organ roll was likely made by the Munroe Organ Reed Company in Worcester, Mashachusetts, around 1880-1883. It was sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a perforated paper Clariona roll, No. 15, 19-3/4 feet. The roll plays the following tunes:

Watch on the Rhine
Tramp, Tramp, Tramp
Home Sweet Home
Yankee Doodle

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This Clariona roll (#15) listed in an 1880s J. Howard Foote catalog, sold for 90 cents.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880 - 1883
ID Number
MI.072883
catalog number
72883
accession number
12809
This drum was made by Abner Stevens in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1812.
Description

This drum was made by Abner Stevens in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1812. The wood drum shell has been cut down approximately 3 inches from each end and features an image of the American bald eagle on a flag shield with a banner inscribed “LIBERTY OR DEATH.” It has black painted hoops and metal hooks laced with rope through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The drum is currently disassembled. The paper label inside the shell is inscribed:

AMERICAN DRUMS
ABNE[R] [S]TEVENS,
HA[S] FOR SALE
TAMBOREANS, BASS & COM[ ]
DRUMS,
MADE IN THE BEST MANNER
At his Factory in the center of the town of
PITTSFIELD, (Ms.) 1812.

The donor provided the following information:

”This drum was carried during five years of the Civil War by Henry K. Bevier, father of donor, who was drum major of the 72d New York Zuaves. He carried the drum through many engagements of the Civil War including the Battle of Gettysburg and also in the Victory Parade held in Washington, D. C. at the close of the War. The family tradition is that this drum was originally purchased by his grandfather who carried it during the war of 1812.”

”Henry K. Bevier was born on December 1, 1843 at Jerusalem in Erie County/New York, the son of Samuel and Rhoda Taylor. On August 5, 1869, he married Mary M. Taylor and in 1873 settled in Elisabethtown, Bartholemew County, Indiana. He later moved to Nebraska and was at the time of his death in his 90's the oldest surviving Civil War veteran in Nebraska."

”Some time after the Civil War, Bevier cut three inches off the top of the drum body and three inches off its bottom and made a new drum which he gave to one son. The remaining center portion, was made into another drum and given to another son, which is the drum donated to the museum.”

Henry K. Bevier (1843-1938 ) [recorded in roster as Brevier] enlisted on May 28, 1861. He was a musician with the 72nd New York Infantry, Company D. He was mustered in June 20, 1861. Bevier was mustered out June 19, 1864.

date made
1812
maker
Stevens, Abner
ID Number
MI.066621
accession number
232886
catalog number
66621
This square piano was made by Chickering in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850. It is a fine example of a mid-19th century square and is in playable condition.
Description
This square piano was made by Chickering in Boston, Massachusetts in 1850. It is a fine example of a mid-19th century square and is in playable condition. This piano is serial number 10683 and has a compass of CC-c5, an English double action, leather hammers, single-strings for the first 5 notes, double-strings for the rest, 2 pedals: dampers and moderator, an iron frame, and a rosewood case.
date made
1850
maker
Chickering, Jonas
ID Number
MI.68.05
catalog number
68.05
accession number
275480
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.27, “In the Gloaming.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.27, “In the Gloaming.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.028
maker number
No. 27
catalog number
66.196.028
accession number
271968
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871 - 1893
ID Number
1978.0635.01
accession number
1978.0635
catalog number
1978.0635.01
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.143, "Poland's National Song." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.143, "Poland's National Song." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.143
catalog number
66.196.143
accession number
271968
This snare drum was made by Walberg & Auge in Worcester, Massachusetts, around 1903-1910. It has a stained wood shell and skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 14 sets of metal hooks for rope which is laced through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops.
Description (Brief)

This snare drum was made by Walberg & Auge in Worcester, Massachusetts, around 1903-1910. It has a stained wood shell and skin heads. The hoops are made of wood and have 14 sets of metal hooks for rope which is laced through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The drum has a metal screw device to activate the gut snares.

There is a cast metal plate on the top hoop that is marked:

WALBERG & AUGE
W AND A
WORCESTER, MASS. USA

This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1903-1910
ID Number
1984.0335.03
accession number
1984.0335
catalog number
1984.0335.03
This music box disc was made by Lloyd G. Kelley, successor to the Regina Music Box Company, in Hanover, Massachusetts, 1950s. It is Regina Disc #1444 – Zampa - Overture, by Ferdinand Hérold,.
Description

This music box disc was made by Lloyd G. Kelley, successor to the Regina Music Box Company, in Hanover, Massachusetts, 1950s. It is Regina Disc #1444 – Zampa - Overture, by Ferdinand Hérold,. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 15-1/2” diameter disc.

This disc features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889, by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.

U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893, by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
ID Number
MI.73.01.18.18
catalog number
73.01.18.18
accession number
301414
maker number
1444
patent number
500374
417649
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.40, “Nights of Gladness.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.40, “Nights of Gladness.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.041
catalog number
66.196.041
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 40
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.55, “Jingle Bells.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.55, “Jingle Bells.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.056
catalog number
66.196.056
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 55
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.149, "Norwegian National Hymn." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.149, "Norwegian National Hymn." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.149
catalog number
66.196.149
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 149
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.68, “That Old Girl of Mine.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.68, “That Old Girl of Mine.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.068
catalog number
66.196.068
accession number
271968
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1924. This music chart is for chart No. 156, "Bosstone Transposing Series Key of F - One Flat." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1924. This music chart is for chart No. 156, "Bosstone Transposing Series Key of F - One Flat." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1924
ID Number
MI.66.196.156
catalog number
66.196.156
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 156
This violin was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts in 1924. The Vega Company was established in Boston in 1899. It is commonly known as an important manufacturer of banjos, but separate departments of the firm also marketed bowed-string and band instruments.
Description
This violin was made by the Vega Company in Boston, Massachusetts in 1924. The Vega Company was established in Boston in 1899. It is commonly known as an important manufacturer of banjos, but separate departments of the firm also marketed bowed-string and band instruments. The Vega Company was sold to the C. F. Martin guitar company in Nazareth, Pennsylvania in 1970. This violin is made of a two-piece table of spruce, two-piece back of quarter cut maple with medium, irregular, descending figure, ribs of similar maple, bird’s-eye maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and reddish-orange varnish.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1924
maker
Vega Co.
ID Number
1984.0185.01
catalog number
1984.0185.01
accession number
1984.0185
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.144, "Boze Cos Polske." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.144, "Boze Cos Polske." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.144
catalog number
66.196.144
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 144
This sheet music is for the song “Darling Nelly Gray.” The song was written and composed by Benjamin Hanby, and published by Oliver Ditson and Company of New York in 1856. The plain cream white cover features black title text in a floral patterned frame.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Darling Nelly Gray.” The song was written and composed by Benjamin Hanby, and published by Oliver Ditson and Company of New York in 1856. The plain cream white cover features black title text in a floral patterned frame. The song tells the story of a runaway slave pining for his love, Nelly Gray, still in slavery in Georgia.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1856
composer
Hanby, B. R.
publisher
Oliver Ditson & Co.
ID Number
1983.0235.01
accession number
1983.0235
catalog number
1983.0235.01
This violin was made by Andrew Hyde in Northhampton, Massachusetts in 1893. Born in 1842, Andrew Hyde trained as a mechanic and later became interested in the violin. In 1886 he moved to Northampton, Massachusetts and established himself as a professional maker.
Description
This violin was made by Andrew Hyde in Northhampton, Massachusetts in 1893. Born in 1842, Andrew Hyde trained as a mechanic and later became interested in the violin. In 1886 he moved to Northampton, Massachusetts and established himself as a professional maker. Hyde produced more than 1,200 violins, violas and cellos and developed a style of imitating wear and age in his varnish and finishing details. He died in 1923 at the age of 81. This violin is made of a two-piece table of spruce, maple back in two pieces cut on 45o with irregular broad descending figure, ribs of similar maple cut on the slab, moderately figured maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and orange-red varnish.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1893
maker
Hyde, Andrew
ID Number
1979.0647.02
accession number
1979.0647
catalog number
1979.0647.02
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.19, “Coming Through the Rye.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.19, “Coming Through the Rye.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.020
maker number
No. 19
catalog number
66.196.020
accession number
271968
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.76, “Bring Back My Bonnie To Me.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.76, “Bring Back My Bonnie To Me.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.076
catalog number
66.196.076
accession number
271968
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.142, "Cheyenne (Shy Ann)." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.142, "Cheyenne (Shy Ann)." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.142
catalog number
66.196.142
accession number
271968
This 9-keyed bugle was made by Henry Sibley in Boston, around 1835-1846. It is an E-flat bugle made of copper with brass keys, fittings, and bell garland.The bugle is inscribed on the bell “H.
Description

This 9-keyed bugle was made by Henry Sibley in Boston, around 1835-1846. It is an E-flat bugle made of copper with brass keys, fittings, and bell garland.

The bugle is inscribed on the bell “H. Sibley [/] Boston” and on the lowest key “WM.R.BAYLEY”

This bugle was used by William R. Bayley (1816-1901), a music teacher and musician in Philadelphia. Bayley served as the leader of Bayley’s Independent Band and the State Fencibles Band of Philadelphia.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835-1846
user
Bayley, Weston D.
maker
Sibley, Henry
ID Number
MI.237755
accession number
45356
catalog number
237755

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