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 whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut.
Description
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095321.02
catalog number
95321.02
accession number
26410
This hornpipe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around 1875-1890. It is a cane reed with a bell of chestnut bark wound in a spiral.
Description
This hornpipe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around 1875-1890. It is a cane reed with a bell of chestnut bark wound in a spiral. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095322
accession number
26410
catalog number
95322
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut.
Description
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095321.01
catalog number
95321.01
accession number
26410
This lyre guitar was made in the 19th century by an unknown maker. It is a six course (6x1) lyre-shaped guitar with a pine top, walnut back and sides, with two circular sound holes and a flat bottom.
Description
This lyre guitar was made in the 19th century by an unknown maker. It is a six course (6x1) lyre-shaped guitar with a pine top, walnut back and sides, with two circular sound holes and a flat bottom. This popular “parlor” instrument was also known in France as "lyre anacréontique" and in England as "Apollo lyre."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1800 - 1899
ID Number
MI.095326
accession number
26512
catalog number
95326
This composite violin was made in Germany in the 19th century. The unrelated 19th-century German table, with a 20thcentury neck-graft, pegbox and scroll, was added to the back and ribs to create the complete instrument.
Description
This composite violin was made in Germany in the 19th century. The unrelated 19th-century German table, with a 20thcentury neck-graft, pegbox and scroll, was added to the back and ribs to create the complete instrument. This violin bears a reproduction Gagliano label and is made of a table of spruce in two pieces, back of maple in two pieces with irregular, mild horizontal figure, ribs of similar maple cut on the slab, grafted maple neck, pegbox and scroll with fine, irregular figure, and a semi-opaque orange-brown varnish.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1800-1899
ID Number
MI.66.095
catalog number
66.095
accession number
182022
This sheet music is for the song “Fairy Tales,” with libretto by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. It was published by Edward Schuberth and Company in New York, New York in 1897.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Fairy Tales,” with libretto by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. It was published by Edward Schuberth and Company in New York, New York in 1897. This song was featured in the Broadway three-act operetta The Idol’s Eye, libretto by Harry B. Smith and music by Victor Herbert. The Idol’s Eye opened at The Broadway Theatre on October 25, 1897 and ran for 56 performances.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1897
publisher
Edward Schuberth and Company
ID Number
1983.0694.10
accession number
1983.0694
catalog number
1983.0694.10
1983.0694.11
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4365 - Faust "All Hail" (cavatina), by Charles Gounod.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4365 - Faust "All Hail" (cavatina), by Charles Gounod. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 27” 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
manufacturing date
1897-1899
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.72.26.39
accession number
299195
catalog number
72.26.39
maker number
4365
This clarinet was made by an unknown maker, possibly Italy around 1850 to 1890.
Description

This clarinet was made by an unknown maker, possibly Italy around 1850 to 1890. It is an 11-keyed clarinet in B-flat, made of brass.

George Brown Goode, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum, acquired this clarinet with other musical instruments in Rome, Italy in 1892.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095046
accession number
25819
catalog number
95046
This violin was made in Markneukirchen, Germany around 1875-1899.
Description
This violin was made in Markneukirchen, Germany around 1875-1899. It is of commercial manufacture and is made of a table of spruce in two pieces, back of maple in one piece with even medium figure, ribs of complementary maple, plain maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and an opaque reddish-brown varnish
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875 - 1899
ID Number
MI.094873
catalog number
94873
accession number
22998
This bow was made by an unknown maker in Germany, around 1880-1899. It is a violin bow, with a round brazilwood stick, an unlined plain ebony frog with a metal ferrule, and a bone button. This commercial bow was accessioned with a 19th century German violin (Cat.
Description
This bow was made by an unknown maker in Germany, around 1880-1899. It is a violin bow, with a round brazilwood stick, an unlined plain ebony frog with a metal ferrule, and a bone button. This commercial bow was accessioned with a 19th century German violin (Cat. #094873)
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880 - 1899
ID Number
MI.094873a
catalog number
94873a
accession number
22998
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 box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #513 - "Cymbeline Waltzes," by Joseph Clauder.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #513 - "Cymbeline Waltzes," by Joseph Clauder. This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.

According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896-1898
1896- 1898
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.05
catalog number
381443.05
accession number
159680
This violin was made in the United States in the 19th century. It is an instrument of amateur construction with a neck, pegbox and scroll of commercial German origin of the same period. The name “Miles Standish” is scratched into the varnish of the back beneath the button.
Description
This violin was made in the United States in the 19th century. It is an instrument of amateur construction with a neck, pegbox and scroll of commercial German origin of the same period. The name “Miles Standish” is scratched into the varnish of the back beneath the button. There is a handwritten label inside the violin that reads “Repaired by I.B. Wilson, Music Dealer and Repairer, Moundsville, W. VA., Sept. 30th, 07 190.” This violin is made of a two-piece table of spruce, one-piece back of American burl maple cut on the slab, ribs of American maple with even medium-fine figure, neck, pegbox and scroll of faintly figured maple, and a semi-opaque brown varnish.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1800 - 1899
ID Number
MI.394503
accession number
214741
catalog number
394503
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1896. It is Regina Disc #4026 - "The Washington Post March," by John Philip Sousa.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1896. It is Regina Disc #4026 - "The Washington Post March," by John Philip Sousa. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 27” 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
manufacturing date
ca 1896
composer
Sousa, John Philip
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.74.12.02
catalog number
74.12.02
accession number
314637
This sheet music is for the song “The Old Homestead (or Come, Love Come),” with words and music by S.J. Moass. It was published by M. D. Swisher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1895.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “The Old Homestead (or Come, Love Come),” with words and music by S.J. Moass. It was published by M. D. Swisher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1895.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1895
publisher
M. D. Swisher
ID Number
1984.0024.08
catalog number
1984.0024.08
accession number
1984.0024
This sheet music for the song “Hey There Mame” was written by Will Heelan and composed by George Hamilton. The music was published by F. A. Mills of New York, New York in 1899.
Description
This sheet music for the song “Hey There Mame” was written by Will Heelan and composed by George Hamilton. The music was published by F. A. Mills of New York, New York in 1899. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser.” The cover has a green pattern background with purple print, and a large inset photograph of singer Marie Dressler on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1899
lyricist
Heelan, Will A.
performer
Dressler, Marie
publisher
F. A. Mills
ID Number
1982.0440.72
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.72
This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc # 584 - "The Moth and the Flame" by Max S. Witt.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc # 584 - "The Moth and the Flame" by Max S. Witt. This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.

According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896-1898
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.11
catalog number
381443.11
accession number
159680
This roller organ roll was made by an undetermined maker in the United States, around 1897-1899. It is roll #1090 - "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," by Paul Dresser, This roll is playable in 20-note roller organs.This roller organ roll features U. S.
Description (Brief)

This roller organ roll was made by an undetermined maker in the United States, around 1897-1899. It is roll #1090 - "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," by Paul Dresser, This roll is playable in 20-note roller organs.

This roller organ roll features U. S. Patent #333390, dated July 14, 1885, by Henry B. Morris for a barrel for mechanical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1897-1899
ID Number
1984.0843.06
catalog number
1984.0843.06
accession number
1984.0843
maker number
1090
This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #142 - Il trovatore - "Cord di Zingari," by Giuseppe Verdi.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #142 - Il trovatore - "Cord di Zingari," by Giuseppe Verdi. This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.

According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896-1898
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.34
catalog number
381443.34
accession number
159680
This music strip was made by an undetermined maker in France, around 1888-1892. It is a Melotrope perforated paper music strip for a mechanical piano player that is placed on top of a keyboard that depresses the keys. It is strip [no number] - Gamme, with a range of 37 notes.
Description

This music strip was made by an undetermined maker in France, around 1888-1892. It is a Melotrope perforated paper music strip for a mechanical piano player that is placed on top of a keyboard that depresses the keys. It is strip [no number] - Gamme, with a range of 37 notes. This strip is accessioned with Melotrope piano player (Cat. MI.30409.01).

This instrument features U. S. Patent #371422, dated October 11, 1887, by Jules Carpentier for a mechanical keyboard player.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1888-1892
ID Number
MI.304098.06
accession number
62985
catalog number
304098.06
This flute was made by Alfred G. Badger in New York, New York around 1875 to 1892. It is a Boehm system flute made of silver with an ebony end cap. This flute is marked:A. G. BADGERMAKERNEW YORKCurrently not on view
Description

This flute was made by Alfred G. Badger in New York, New York around 1875 to 1892. It is a Boehm system flute made of silver with an ebony end cap. This flute is marked:

A. G. BADGER
MAKER
NEW YORK

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875-1892
maker
Badger, Alfred G.
ID Number
MI.75.37
accession number
314091
catalog number
75.37
This sheet music for the song, "Back to the Old, Old Home" was written by Arthur Lamb and composed by Harry Carson. The music was published by the Thompson Music Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1893.
Description
This sheet music for the song, "Back to the Old, Old Home" was written by Arthur Lamb and composed by Harry Carson. The music was published by the Thompson Music Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1893. The simple cover is white with black bubble lettering, and advertises the song as a “ballad with waltz refrain.”
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1893
composer
Carson, Harry F.
lyricist
Lamb, Arthur J.
publisher
Thompson Music Company
ID Number
1982.0439.08
catalog number
1982.0439.008
accession number
1982.0439
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 box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1897. It is Regina Disc # 4062 - Cavalleria Rusticana - "Intermezzo," by Pietro Mascagni.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1897. It is Regina Disc # 4062 - Cavalleria Rusticana - "Intermezzo," by Pietro Mascagni. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 27” 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
manufacturing date
ca 1897
user
Meggers, Edith R.
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.74.12.13
catalog number
74.12.13
accession number
314637
maker number
4062

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