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.

Date: 1890s

Violin Bow (3/4 size)

This bow was made by an unknown maker in Germany, around 1875-1899.
Description
This bow was made by an unknown maker in Germany, around 1875-1899. It is a violin bow (¾ size) with a round brazilwood stick with a nickel-silver face, with an unlined ebony frog with a pearl slide and eyes and nickel-silver ferrule, and a crude bone button with a black pastiche eye. This commercial bow was accessioned with a patented bowed Solophone (Cat. #219990).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1899
1885-1899
ID Number
MI.219990a
catalog number
219990a
accession number
41243

"My Old Kentucky Home"

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #129 - "My Old Kentucky Home," by Stephen Foster.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #129 - "My Old Kentucky Home," by Stephen Foster. 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
composer
Foster, Stephen Collins
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.24
catalog number
381443.24
accession number
159680

Thibouville-Lamy Violin (1/2 size)

This violin was made by the firm of Jerome Thibouville-Lamy, in Mirecourt, France around 1885-1895. The 1891 Thibouville-Lamy catalog lists this instrument as "No.
Description
This violin was made by the firm of Jerome Thibouville-Lamy, in Mirecourt, France around 1885-1895. The 1891 Thibouville-Lamy catalog lists this instrument as "No. O Violin ½ size, Medio Fino (brown or red) - each $2.60." Full size Medio Fino violins in this quality are advertised: "100 Medio-fino delivered in New York packing free $264.00." In this ½ size example, the fittings are of solid ebony, and the violin of semi-opaque reddish-brown color is scribed on the edges in imitation of purfling. The violin is made of a one-piece table of spruce with irregular grain, two-piece back of plain maple with similar plain ribs, and an original maple neck with pegbox and closed scroll.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1895
ID Number
1987.0583.04
catalog number
1987.0583.04
accession number
1987.0583

Stroh Violin

This instrument was patented (English Patent #9418) by John M.A. Stroh in London England on May 4, 1899 and manufactured by George Evans & Co. from 1909–1942.
Description
This instrument was patented (English Patent #9418) by John M.A. Stroh in London England on May 4, 1899 and manufactured by George Evans & Co. from 1909–1942. John Matthias Augustus Stroh was born in Frankfurt am Main in 1828, and was an apprentice watch and clock maker, who immigrated to England in 1851. In this instrument, the Stroh patent for amplifying a vibrated string is adapted to the violin. Stroh invented many acoustical devices, and the concept of this patent originated from work on the mechanical sound-box of the gramophone. This violin is made of a solid cylindrical body built of two pieces of half-round mahogany, an aluminum shoulder rest, diaphragm and horn, traditional violin neck, pegbox, and scroll of maple, and a dark red-brown varnish.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1909-1942
patent date
1899-05-04
patentee
Stroh, John M. A.
manufacturer
George Evans & Co.
ID Number
1989.0651.01
accession number
1989.0651
catalog number
1989.0651.01
patent number
9418

Flute Case

This flute case was made by an unknown maker in France, around 1895-1898. It is made of wood, stained medium brown, with metal fittings and handle. Accessioned with Florentin Barbier flute (1985.0016.07).Currently not on view
Description
This flute case was made by an unknown maker in France, around 1895-1898. It is made of wood, stained medium brown, with metal fittings and handle. Accessioned with Florentin Barbier flute (1985.0016.07).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895-1898
ID Number
1985.0016.07.01
catalog number
1985.0016.07.01
accession number
1985.0016

"Little Alabama Coon"

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1896. It is Regina Disc #4046 - "Little Alabama Coon," by Hattie Starr.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1896. It is Regina Disc #4046 - "Little Alabama Coon," by Hattie Starr. 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
user
Meggers, Edith R.
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.74.12.10
accession number
314637
catalog number
74.12.10
maker number
4046

William Rönnberg 4-Keyed Flute

This flute was made by William Rönnberg in New York, New York around 1834 to 1889. It is a 4-keyed flute made of stained boxwood with ivory ferrules, and brass keys. This flute is marked:RÖNNBERGN. YORKCurrently not on view
Description

This flute was made by William Rönnberg in New York, New York around 1834 to 1889. It is a 4-keyed flute made of stained boxwood with ivory ferrules, and brass keys. This flute is marked:

RÖNNBERG
N. YORK

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1856-1890
maker
Ronnberg, William
ID Number
MI.72.12
catalog number
72.12
accession number
296311

Bottali Rothphone

This rothphone was made by Antonio Bottali in Milan, Italy, around 1898. It is made of brass. The original maker's name (F.W. Roth?) has been stamped over with "Bottali."Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This rothphone was made by Antonio Bottali in Milan, Italy, around 1898. It is made of brass. The original maker's name (F.W. Roth?) has been stamped over with "Bottali."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1898
ID Number
2014.0181.01
accession number
2014.0181
catalog number
2014.0181.01

“Bring Your Money Home”

This sheet music for the song “Bring Your Money Home” was written and composed by Harry S. Miller and published by Will Rossiter of Chicago, Illinois in 1899. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser” on September 23, 1900.
Description
This sheet music for the song “Bring Your Money Home” was written and composed by Harry S. Miller and published by Will Rossiter of Chicago, Illinois in 1899. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Journal and Advertiser” on September 23, 1900. The cover has a green background and features a photograph of Clarice Vance, who sang the song at Keith’s Theatre.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1899
performer
Vance, Clarice
composer; lyricist
Miller, Harry S.
publisher
Will Rossiter
ID Number
1982.0440.71
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.71

Cornet Case

This cornet case was made by an unknown maker in the United States, 1880-1899. It is made of wood, painted black, with metal fittings, and interior dividers made of blue fabric covered paper. Accessioned with Heirich Wilhelm Schetlich cornet (1985.0017.03).Currently not on view
Description
This cornet case was made by an unknown maker in the United States, 1880-1899. It is made of wood, painted black, with metal fittings, and interior dividers made of blue fabric covered paper. Accessioned with Heirich Wilhelm Schetlich cornet (1985.0017.03).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880-1899
ID Number
1985.0017.03.01
catalog number
1985.0017.03.01
accession number
1985.0017

Cavalleria Rusticana - "Intermezzo"

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #39 - Cavalleria Rusticana – "Intermezzo," by Pietro Mascagni.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #39 - Cavalleria Rusticana – "Intermezzo," by Pietro Mascagni. 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.381443.52
catalog number
381443.52
accession number
159680

German 10-Keyed Flute

This flute patterned after instruments made by Heinrich Friederich Meyer in Hannover, was made in Germany around 1890 to 1897. It is a 10-keyed flute with a rosewood body and has an ivory head and nickel silver ferrules and keys. This flute is marked:NACHH.F.
Description

This flute patterned after instruments made by Heinrich Friederich Meyer in Hannover, was made in Germany around 1890 to 1897. It is a 10-keyed flute with a rosewood body and has an ivory head and nickel silver ferrules and keys. This flute is marked:

NACH
H.F. MEYER
HANNOVER

Meyer flutes were so in demand that inexpensive copies were made that were often stamped “nach Meyer” (after or in the style of Meyer).

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1890-1897
maker
Meyer, Heinrich Friedrich
ID Number
1983.0234.04
accession number
1983.0234
catalog number
1983.0234.04

Mermod Freres Stella Disc Music Box

This music box was made by Mermod Freres in St. Croix, Switzerland, about 1897. It is a Stella disc floor model #268, serial #3819, with a lower compartment with 12 slots for holding discs. This music box has double comb of 84 teeth each.
Description

This music box was made by Mermod Freres in St. Croix, Switzerland, about 1897. It is a Stella disc floor model #268, serial #3819, with a lower compartment with 12 slots for holding discs. This music box has double comb of 84 teeth each. The music box plays 17 1/4" diameter perforated metal discs. The spring is crank wound. Accessioned with 61 discs (MI.381443.01 - .61).

This music box features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #326743, dated September 22, 1885, by C. Henry Jacot, for a safety-check for music boxes.

U. S. Patent #557349, dated March 31, 1896, by Alexis Vernaz, for improvements in music boxes.

U. S. Patent #565649, dated August 11, 1896, by Alexis Vernaz, for a device for adjusting sprocket wheels in musical instruments.

U. S. Patent #585578, dated June 29, 1897, by Aristides H. Jacot, for improvements in music boxes.

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

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1897
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443
accession number
159680
catalog number
381443

Poet and Peasant Overture

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4077 - Poet and Peasant Overture, by Franz von Suppé.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4077 - Poet and Peasant Overture, by Franz von Suppé. 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.72.26.14
accession number
299195
catalog number
72.26.14
maker number
4077

Just Tell Them That You Saw Me

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
depicted (sitter)
Gilson, Lottie
maker
Howley, Haviland, and Company
ID Number
2018.3010.304
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.304

"El Capitan"

This sheet music is for the composition “El Capitan,” by John Philip Sousa. It was published by John Church Company of Cincinnati, New York, and Chicago in 1897.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the composition “El Capitan,” by John Philip Sousa. It was published by John Church Company of Cincinnati, New York, and Chicago in 1897.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1897
depicted (sitter)
Sousa, John Philip
publisher
John Church Company
ID Number
1983.0694.02
accession number
1983.0694
catalog number
1983.0694.02

Hillyard Cornet Case

This cornet case was made by William Hillyard in London, England, 1886-1893. It is a custom-made case made of wood, covered with red-brown leather, metal fittings, with burgundy fabric interior. Accessioned with Hillyard cornet (1991.0280.01).
Description

This cornet case was made by William Hillyard in London, England, 1886-1893. It is a custom-made case made of wood, covered with red-brown leather, metal fittings, with burgundy fabric interior. Accessioned with Hillyard cornet (1991.0280.01). There is a printed label on the inside lid:

W. HILLYARD. 167, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON
TRADE [crown] MARK
MILITARY BAND INSTRUMENT MAKER

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886-1893
ID Number
1991.0280.02
catalog number
1991.0280.02
accession number
1991.0280

"Palm Branches"

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4133 - "Palm Branches," by Jean-Baptiste Fauré.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1897-1899. It is Regina Disc #4133 - "Palm Branches," by Jean-Baptiste Fauré. 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.72.26.21
catalog number
72.26.21
accession number
299195
maker number
4133

"American Victory March"

This sheet music is for the composistion "American Victory March," by Charles A. Ware. It was published by M.D. Swisher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1898.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the composistion "American Victory March," by Charles A. Ware. It was published by M.D. Swisher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1898.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1898
publisher
M. D. Swisher
ID Number
1984.0024.10
accession number
1984.0024
catalog number
1984.0024.10

"Jolly Fellows"

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1897. It is Regina Disc #4082 - "Jolly Fellows" (Waltz), by Robert Wollstedt.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1897. It is Regina Disc #4082 - "Jolly Fellows" (Waltz), by Robert Wollstedt. 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.74.12.15
catalog number
74.12.15
accession number
314637
maker number
4082

Conn Albert System Clarinet

This clarinet was made by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana in 1895. It is an Albert System clarinet in E-flat, serial #496, made of double-wall nickel silver plated brass. This clarinet is stamped:496MADE BYC.G. CONNELKHARTINDCurrently not on view
Description

This clarinet was made by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana in 1895. It is an Albert System clarinet in E-flat, serial #496, made of double-wall nickel silver plated brass. This clarinet is stamped:

496
MADE BY
C.G. CONN
ELKHART
IND

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1895
maker
C. G. Conn
ID Number
1988.0498.02
accession number
1988.0498
catalog number
1988.0498.02

"Oh! Susanna"

This music strip was made by an unknown maker in the United States, around 1880-1890. It is a music strip (6 ¾ feet long) - "Oh! Susanna,” by Stephen Foster.
Description (Brief)

This music strip was made by an unknown maker in the United States, around 1880-1890. It is a music strip (6 ¾ feet long) - "Oh! Susanna,” by Stephen Foster. This strip can be played in 14-note organettes.

As indicated in an 1885 Catalog of Music for the Orguinette, the price of music was 4 cents per foot. The length of the music strip indicated above, is from the catalog.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880-1890
ID Number
1991.0132.15
accession number
1991.0132
catalog number
1991.0132.15

Calhoun Folk Fiddle

This violin was made by A.B. Calhoun in New England in 1896. Makers of folk instruments typically incorporate unusual materials, design or construction methods in building inexpensive but clever hybrid models of familiar, commercially marketed musical instruments.
Description
This violin was made by A.B. Calhoun in New England in 1896. Makers of folk instruments typically incorporate unusual materials, design or construction methods in building inexpensive but clever hybrid models of familiar, commercially marketed musical instruments. This cigar-box shaped fiddle has enlarged top and bottom blocks that also form the entire upper and lower ribs. The outline is completed by two straight side ribs nailed to these blocks. The table and back are also nailed to the end blocks, but glued along the length of the side ribs. The neck is attached by two screws.
Accompanied by a bow painted black and a fitted case painted in imitation of bird's-eye maple, the fiddle shows signs of much use in the grooved wear marks on the fingerboard. The instrument was acquired by the donor in the New England area of the United States, but there is no known written reference to the name A. B. Calhoun.
This violin is made of yellow pine, with neck, pegbox and pegs of hickory stained reddish brown, with the pegs, pegbox and fingerboard painted black.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1896
maker
Calhoun, A. B.
ID Number
1991.0706.01
accession number
1991.0706
catalog number
1991.0706.01

Lohengrin - "Bridal Chorus"

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #38 - Lohengrin - "Bridal Chorus," by Richard Wagner.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1896-1898. It is Stella Disc #38 - Lohengrin - "Bridal Chorus," by Richard Wagner. 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.381443.45
catalog number
381443.45
accession number
159680

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