Music & Musical Instruments

Jesse Fuller's Silvertone Guitar

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.

Place: Massachusetts

Centennial Collection of National Songs

Centennial Collection of National Songs songbook published by Oliver Ditson and Company in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1876.
Description
Centennial Collection of National Songs songbook published by Oliver Ditson and Company in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1876. This song book was made for the commemoration the one-hundredth anniversary of the convening of the Second Congress in the Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, July 4, 1776, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence calling for separation from Great Britain and creation of the United States of America.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1876
publisher
Oliver Ditson & Co.
ID Number
1987.0438.01
accession number
1987.0438
catalog number
1987.0438.01

Johnson Mountain Boys

The Johnson Mountain Boys was a traditional bluegrass band formed in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the 1970s. Its members were vocalist, banjoist, and guitarist Dudley Connell, David McLauglin, fiddler Eddie Stubbs, and bassist Larry Robbins.
Description
The Johnson Mountain Boys was a traditional bluegrass band formed in the Washington, D.C. suburbs in the 1970s. Its members were vocalist, banjoist, and guitarist Dudley Connell, David McLauglin, fiddler Eddie Stubbs, and bassist Larry Robbins. Connell worked for Smithsonian Folkways for a time and Stubbs went on to host the Grand Ole Opry.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1981
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.030
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.030

Toreador March

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.96, “Toreador March.” 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.96, “Toreador March.” 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.66.196.096
catalog number
66.196.096
accession number
271968

"Carry Me Back To Old Virginia"

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.114, “Carry Me Back To Old Virginia.” 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.114, “Carry Me Back To Old Virginia.” 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.66.196.114
catalog number
66.196.114
accession number
271968

“Ehren on the Rhine”

This sheet music for the song "Ehren on the Rhine" was arranged by George Edw. Jackson and published by W. A. Evans and Bro. of Boston, Massachusetts in 1884.
Description
This sheet music for the song "Ehren on the Rhine" was arranged by George Edw. Jackson and published by W. A. Evans and Bro. of Boston, Massachusetts in 1884. This song was a classic waltz, telling the story of a soldier going off to war, and telling his love to wait for him and reunite to be together at Ehren on the Rhine.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1884
distributor
Woolworth and Hasslet
publisher
W. A. Evans and Brothers
ID Number
1982.0439.40
catalog number
1982.0439.040
accession number
1982.0439

"Sun of My Soul"

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.10, “Sun of My Soul.” 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.10, “Sun of My Soul.” 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.66.196.011
maker number
No. 10
catalog number
66.196.011
accession number
271968

“The Battle Song of Liberty”

This sheet music is for the song “The Battle Song of Liberty” whose music was composed by F.E. Bigelow and whose lyrics were written by Jack Yellen. The Walter Jacobs Company of Boston, Massachusetts published this sheet music in 1917.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Battle Song of Liberty” whose music was composed by F.E. Bigelow and whose lyrics were written by Jack Yellen. The Walter Jacobs Company of Boston, Massachusetts published this sheet music in 1917. The cover features scenes of war, with battleships sailing and airplanes flying around explosions, and the specter of soldiers marching in file in the sky. The foreground features an illustrated image of the Statue of Liberty, and Starmer signed the cover in the lower right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
publisher
Jacobs, Walter
ID Number
1983.0424.138
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.138

"Dance of the Lunatics: An Idiot Rave"

This sheet music is for the composition “Dance of the Lunatics: An Idiot Rave,” by Thomas S. Allen.
Description

This sheet music is for the composition “Dance of the Lunatics: An Idiot Rave,” by Thomas S. Allen. It was published by Walter Jacobs in Boston Massachusetts in 1912.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by brothers William Starmer (1872-1957) and Frederick Starmer (1878-1962) Born and raised in England, the brothers moved with their family to New York, William in 1898 and Frederick in 1899. The Starmer Brothers flourished until 1929. William became a U.S. citizen in 1924, while Frederick returned to England in 1929.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1912
publisher
Jacobs, Walter
ID Number
1984.0568.14
accession number
1984.0568
catalog number
1984.0568.14

"Dixie"

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.17, “Dixie.” 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.17, “Dixie.” 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.66.196.018
maker number
No. 17
catalog number
66.196.018
accession number
271968

Bosstone Grand Waltz Exercise

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. 160, "Bosstone Grand Waltz Exercise." 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. 160, "Bosstone Grand Waltz Exercise." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1924
ID Number
MI.66.196.160
catalog number
66.196.160
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 160

"Maryland, My Maryland"

This music box disc was made by Lloyd G. Kelley, successor to the Regina Music Box Company, in Hanover, Massachusetts, 1950s.
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 #1423 – “Maryland, My Maryland.” 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.73.01.18.04
catalog number
73.01.18.04
accession number
301414
maker number
1423
patent number
500374
417649

"Folio, Vol. XIX, No.9"

"Folio," Vol. XIX, No. 9 - A Journal of Music, Drama, Art & Literature. September 1880. Light blue paper cover with black ink. Inside white paper pages with black ink.Currently not on view
Description
"Folio," Vol. XIX, No. 9 - A Journal of Music, Drama, Art & Literature. September 1880. Light blue paper cover with black ink. Inside white paper pages with black ink.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1880
publisher
White, Smith, and Company
ID Number
1982.0005.14
accession number
1982.0005.14
catalog number
1982.0005.14

"Till We Meet Again"

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.132, "Till We Meet Again." 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.132, "Till We Meet Again." 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.66.196.132
catalog number
66.196.132
accession number
271968

John Ingalls Flute

This flute was made by John Ingalls in Sommerville, Massachusetts in 1978. It is made of gray polycarbonate, and has a cork stopper.Currently not on view
Description
This flute was made by John Ingalls in Sommerville, Massachusetts in 1978. It is made of gray polycarbonate, and has a cork stopper.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
ID Number
1988.0490.01
accession number
1988.0490
catalog number
1988.0490.01

"They Go Wild Simply Wild Over Me"

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.81, “They Go Wild, Simply Wild, Over 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.81, “They Go Wild, Simply Wild, Over 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).

”They Go Wild Simply Wild Over Me,” with words by Joseph McCarthy and music by Fred Fisher, was published by McCarthy and Fisher, Inc., in 1917.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.081
catalog number
66.196.081
accession number
271968

Tex Ritter and Fans

A man sells Tex Ritter photographs to fans waiting for his autograph.Currently not on view
Description
A man sells Tex Ritter photographs to fans waiting for his autograph.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.066
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.066

Jeannie C. Riley

Best known for her crossover hit, "Harper Valley PTA," Jeannie C. Riley (b. 1945) is pictured her on her tour bus.Currently not on view
Description
Best known for her crossover hit, "Harper Valley PTA," Jeannie C. Riley (b. 1945) is pictured her on her tour bus.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.033
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.033

Graves & Co. 12-Keyed Presentation Bugle

This 12-keyed bugle was made by Graves and Co. in Boston, Massachusetts in 1860. It is an E-flat presentation bugle made of silver with etched decorations on bell, tone-hole borders, end-plate, and lead pipe. The bugle is engraved:Presented toCapt. Ed.
Description

This 12-keyed bugle was made by Graves and Co. in Boston, Massachusetts in 1860. It is an E-flat presentation bugle made of silver with etched decorations on bell, tone-hole borders, end-plate, and lead pipe. The bugle is engraved:

Presented to
Capt. Ed. Pier
BY HIS Corning Friends 1860
MADE BY GRAVES & CO. BOSTON.

Edwin Pier (1817-1887) served as a musician in the Civil War and was a musician and teacher in the Corning, New York area.

Samuel Graves (1794-1878) began making instruments in West Fairlee, Vermont from 1824 to 1830. He moved to his shop to Winchester, New Hampshire in 1830 and was joined by his partners, Cyrus Graves (Samuel‘s brother), Charles Alexander, and Henry P. Anderson. The company was owned by Samuel Graves and Charles Alexander, and known as “Graves & Alexander” and later as “Graves & Co.” Brass instrument maker Samuel W. Richardson, from Rochester, New York was a partner in the company from 1832 to 1839.

The company made mostly woodwind instruments, and after London instrument maker James Keat went to work for the firm around 1837, Graves & Co. began producing brass instruments. After 1845, the company exclusively made brass instruments. Graves and Company would continue with various owners and name changes in Boston from 1850 to 1869, after which it merged with E. G. Wright & Co., Henry Esbach, and Louis F. Hartman to form the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860
user
Pier, Edwin
maker
Graves & Co.
ID Number
MI.63.610
accession number
243422
catalog number
63.610

Bosstone Transposing Series Key of A - Three Sharps

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. 154, "Bosstone Transposing Series Key of A - Three Sharps." 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. 154, "Bosstone Transposing Series Key of A - Three Sharps." 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.66.196.154
catalog number
66.196.154
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 154

"Carry Me Back to Ol' Virginia"

This sheet music is for the song “Carry Me Back to Ol’ Virginny,” by James A. Bland. It was published by Oliver Ditson Company in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Carry Me Back to Ol’ Virginny,” by James A. Bland. It was published by Oliver Ditson Company in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1906
publisher
Oliver Ditson Company
ID Number
1986.0370.07
accession number
1986.0370
catalog number
1986.0370.07

"Carnival of Venice"

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.13, “Carnival of Venice.” 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.13, “Carnival of Venice.” 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.66.196.014
maker number
No. 13
catalog number
66.196.014
accession number
271968

Der Freischütz - "Hunting Waltz”

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 #1355 - Der Freischütz - "Hunting Waltz,” by Carl Maria von Weber.
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 #1355 - Der Freischütz - "Hunting Waltz,” by Carl Maria von Weber. 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.73.01.18.01
catalog number
73.01.18.01
accession number
301414
maker number
1355
patent number
417649
500374

"Flower Song"

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.12, “Flower 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.12, “Flower 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.66.196.013
maker number
No. 12
catalog number
66.196.013
accession number
271968

"The Mocking Bird"

This sheet music is for the song "The Mocking Bird," composed by Edward Hoffman. It was published by Oliver Ditson and Compny in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song "The Mocking Bird," composed by Edward Hoffman. It was published by Oliver Ditson and Compny in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1864
publisher
Oliver Ditson & Co.
ID Number
1983.0692.17
accession number
1983.0692
catalog number
1983.0692.17

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