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 oboe was made by Wolfgang Kuss in Vienna, Austria, around 1811-1834. It is an 11-keyed oboe, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keys. The oboe is stamped:KussWein3This oboe was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.
Description

This oboe was made by Wolfgang Kuss in Vienna, Austria, around 1811-1834. It is an 11-keyed oboe, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keys. The oboe is stamped:

Kuss
Wein
3

This oboe was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1811 - 1834
maker
Kuss, Wolfgang
ID Number
MI.095299
accession number
26256
catalog number
95299
This flute was made by Johann Ziegler in Vienna, Austria around 1821 to 1830. It is a 6-keyed flute made of boxwood with horn ferrules and brass keys. The flute is stamped:I.
Description

This flute was made by Johann Ziegler in Vienna, Austria around 1821 to 1830. It is a 6-keyed flute made of boxwood with horn ferrules and brass keys. The flute is stamped:

I. ZIEGLER

Johann Joseph Ziegler (1795-1858) was born in Hungary and by 1821 established himself as a wind instrument maker in Vienna. Ziegler was one of the more prolific makers of the era and displayed his instruments at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. In a catalog listing from the exhibition, Ziegler sold flutes made of cocoa-nut wood with case for 120 florins.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820 - 1830
maker
Ziegler, Johann
ID Number
MI.095050
accession number
25819
catalog number
95050
This grand piano was made by Heinrich Christian Kisting & Son in Berlin, Germany around 1828-1832. The nameboard of this piano shows that it was made explicitly for export to Washington, D.C. and reads “H.
Description
This grand piano was made by Heinrich Christian Kisting & Son in Berlin, Germany around 1828-1832. The nameboard of this piano shows that it was made explicitly for export to Washington, D.C. and reads “H. KISTING and SON / Piano-fort maker of the Royal Court / at / Berlin / to be sold by Mr. / F. A. Wagler / at / WASHINGTON.” The piano has a compass of CC-a4, Viennese action with back checks on a rail, leather hammers, brass and iron strings with 2 or 3 strings for each note, 2 pedals (missing): keyboard shift (?) and dampers (?), a frame made from 3 iron tension bars (probably not original) screwed to a wood string plate and pin block, straight-strung, and a cherry veneer case with mahogany legs.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1828 - 1832
maker
Heinrich Christian Kisting & Son
ID Number
MI.094888
catalog number
94888
accession number
24259
This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock, for William Swift, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1833-1837. It is the only surviving Babcock from the period in which he worked as foreman at William Swift’s factory.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock, for William Swift, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1833-1837. It is the only surviving Babcock from the period in which he worked as foreman at William Swift’s factory. Alpheus Babcock is best known for his invention of the one-piece metal frame for square pianos, patented December 17, 1825 in Boston. This piano is one of three known pianos with his patented iron frame. This piano is serial number 1517 and has a compass of FF-f4, Babcock patent action, leather top over layers of felt hammers (not original), double-strings, some wound, 2 pedals: moderator and dampers, Babcock’s patented one-piece cast iron frame, and a crotch mahogany veneered case.
date made
1833-1837
maker
Babcock, Alpheus
ID Number
MI.315690
serial number
1517
accession number
58488
catalog number
315690
This upright piano was made by Robert and William Nunns in New York, New York about 1830. It is a small cottage piano about 42 inches high. The metal frame would suggest that this piano was modernized at some time.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano was made by Robert and William Nunns in New York, New York about 1830. It is a small cottage piano about 42 inches high. The metal frame would suggest that this piano was modernized at some time. This piano is serial number 1223 and has a compass of FF-f4, tape-check upright action, felt hammers, single-strings, some wound, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, metal frame, straight-strung, and a mahogany (veneer?) case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1824-1833
maker
Robert & William Nunns
ID Number
MI.315698
catalog number
315698
accession number
58488
This basset horn was made by Griesling & Schlott in Berlin, Germany around 1808 to 1835. It is a basset horn in F, made of boxwood with ivory and brass ferrules, an ivory elbow joint, and brass keys and a brass bell.
Description

This basset horn was made by Griesling & Schlott in Berlin, Germany around 1808 to 1835. It is a basset horn in F, made of boxwood with ivory and brass ferrules, an ivory elbow joint, and brass keys and a brass bell. There are three barrel sections, of different lengths for tuning, marked "1," "2," and "3," respectively. This basset horn is stamped:

GRIESLING
& SCHLOTT
in BERLIN

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1808-1835
maker
Griesling & Schlott
ID Number
MI.384091
accession number
173731
catalog number
384091
This clarinet was made by William Whiteley in Utica, New York around 1829 to 1831. It is a 5-keyed clarinet in C, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and square brass keys.
Description

This clarinet was made by William Whiteley in Utica, New York around 1829 to 1831. It is a 5-keyed clarinet in C, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and square brass keys. This clarinet is stamped:

WHITELEY
UTICA

William Whiteley (1789-1871) made wind instruments in Utica from 1810 to 1853. He is also known for his wind instrument instruction book, The Instrumental Preceptor: comprising instructions for the clarinet, hautboy, flute and bassoon: with a variety of the most celebrated airs, marches, minuets, songs, rondeaus, trios, &c., published by Seward &Williams in 1816.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1829-1831
maker
Whiteley, William
ID Number
MI.65.0729
accession number
257490
catalog number
65.0729
This trumpet was made by an unknown maker in England, around 1833 to 1837.
Description

This trumpet was made by an unknown maker in England, around 1833 to 1837. It is a G trumpet made of brass with two ivory topped Stölzel model piston valves and accessioned with four crooks, in E-flat, F, D, and C.

Heinrich David Stölzel (1777-1844) was born in Scheeberg, Germany and was a horn player who developed some of the first valves for brass instruments. Stölzel developed this type of valve around 1814.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833 - 1837
ID Number
MI.054255
catalog number
54255
accession number
11172
This grand piano was made by Conrad Graf in Vienna, Austria in 1832. Except for the number of pedals, this piano is essentially a twin of the instrument that Graf presented to musician and composer, Clara Wieck on her marriage to composer Robert Schumann in 1840.
Description (Brief)
This grand piano was made by Conrad Graf in Vienna, Austria in 1832. Except for the number of pedals, this piano is essentially a twin of the instrument that Graf presented to musician and composer, Clara Wieck on her marriage to composer Robert Schumann in 1840. The piano is serial number 1594 and has a compass of CC-g4, Viennese action, leather over wood core hammers, brass and steel strings, double- and triple-strung, 5 pedals: una corda, bassoon, moderator, dampers, and janissary, an oak laminated and interlocked bars frame, straight-strung, and a walnut veneer case.
Location
Currently not on view (action)
date made
1832
maker
Graf, Conrad
ID Number
1986.3187.01
catalog number
1986.3187.01
nonaccession number
1986.3187
This horn was made by Courtois in Paris, France, around 1833-1837. It is an orchestral horn, made of brass with an interior painted bell. Accessioned witha period case and crooks.
Description

This horn was made by Courtois in Paris, France, around 1833-1837. It is an orchestral horn, made of brass with an interior painted bell. Accessioned witha period case and crooks. The instrument is inscribed on the bell garland:

COURTOIS NEVEU AINE RUE DES VIEUX AUGUSTINS A PARIS

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1837
maker
Courtois, Antoine
ID Number
MI.75.45
accession number
316461
catalog number
75.45
This Bass Viol or Violoncello was made by Abraham Prescott in Concord, New Hampshire, around 1831-1833.
Description (Brief)

This Bass Viol or Violoncello was made by Abraham Prescott in Concord, New Hampshire, around 1831-1833. It has a two-piece table of pine; two-piece back of American maple with fine even horizontal figure; ribs of similar maple; moderately figured maple neck, pegbox and scroll with metal tuning mechanism; semi-opaque reddish-brown varnish.

This instrument retains many original features intact, including the neck, black painted finger-board, tailpiece and nut. The ribs are inlaid into channeling on the table and back and the instrument bears a single purfling. It has an original printed label:

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
ABRAHAM PRESCOTT
MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IN
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION
NEARLY OPPOSITE THE AMERICAN HOTEL
CONCORD, N.H.

The original metal tuning mechanism bears the composite brand stamp:

A. PRESCOTT
CONCORD
N.H.

Abraham Prescott (1789-1858) was one of the most prolific of the bass viol makers. A self-taught instrument maker, he began his craft in Deerfield, New Hampshire, in 1809 and moved his business to Concord in 1831, where he continued to make violoncellos, bass viols, and double basses (and later reed organs and pianos) until about 1850. Prescott instruments are often fitted with machine-head tuning gears instead of more usual pegs.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1831-1833
maker
Prescott, Abraham
ID Number
MI.75.01
accession number
312074
catalog number
75.01
This square piano was made by D.B. Grove in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1833-1835. Since D.B. Grove signed his piano with only his initials, it is not certain whether he was the Daniel Grove known as a cabinetmaker in Philadelphia in 1829.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by D.B. Grove in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1833-1835. Since D.B. Grove signed his piano with only his initials, it is not certain whether he was the Daniel Grove known as a cabinetmaker in Philadelphia in 1829. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, single action, leather hammers, single-strings for first 8 notes, the rest double-strings, 2 pedals: buff and dampers, an iron string plate frame in the shape of an eagle, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1835
maker
Grove, D. B.
ID Number
MI.315689
catalog number
315689
accession number
58488
This square piano was made by John Tallman in New York, New York around 1835-1838. Like the Tallman square piano in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, this piano was decorated by the famous New York engraver Samuel Maverick.
Description
This square piano was made by John Tallman in New York, New York around 1835-1838. Like the Tallman square piano in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, this piano was decorated by the famous New York engraver Samuel Maverick. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, double-strings of which the first 8 are wound with tuning pins at the rear, 1 pedal: dampers, an iron hitch-pin plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835-1838
maker
Tallman, John
ID Number
MI.299836
catalog number
299836
accession number
61285
This clarinet was made by John Ashton in Boston, Massachusetts around 1825 to 1834. It is a 5-keyed clarinet in C, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keys. This clarinet is stamped:[eagle]J.
Description

This clarinet was made by John Ashton in Boston, Massachusetts around 1825 to 1834. It is a 5-keyed clarinet in C, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keys. This clarinet is stamped:

[eagle]
J. ASHTON
BOSTON
C

John Ashton was a music publisher and dealer of musical instruments at 197 Washington Street in Boston Massachusetts from around 1819 to 1844. This clarinet was likely made by a nearby wind instrument maker for sale in Ashton’s store.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1834
maker
Ashton, John
ID Number
MI.73.39
catalog number
73.39
accession number
304540
This square piano was made by Joseph J. Mickley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1830. In 1827, he won honorable mention at a Franklin Institute exhibition for a “plain and cheap” instrument. This is the only known piano by Mickley.
Description
This square piano was made by Joseph J. Mickley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1830. In 1827, he won honorable mention at a Franklin Institute exhibition for a “plain and cheap” instrument. This is the only known piano by Mickley. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, felt hammers, double-strings of which the first 8 notes are wound, with tuning pins on the right, 1 pedal: dampers, a wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1828-1832
maker
Mickley, Joseph J.
ID Number
MI.299837
catalog number
299837
accession number
61285
This square piano was made by Robert and William Nunns for Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York around 1824-1830. Robert and his Brother William established their firm in 1823, manufacturing pianos both for themselves and the company of Dubois & Stodart.
Description
This square piano was made by Robert and William Nunns for Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York around 1824-1830. Robert and his Brother William established their firm in 1823, manufacturing pianos both for themselves and the company of Dubois & Stodart. This piano is serial number 543 and has a compass of FF-f4, and English Double action, leather hammers covered with felt, double-strings, the first 10 notes are wound, tuning pins at the rear, 1 pedal: dampers, an iron hitch-pin plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1824-1833
maker
Robert & William Nunns
ID Number
MI.60.1388
catalog number
60.1388
accession number
227687
This square piano was made by Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York about 1830. Adam Stodart managed a New York piano manufacturing firm and dealership with William Dubois from about 1822 until 1834.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York about 1830. Adam Stodart managed a New York piano manufacturing firm and dealership with William Dubois from about 1822 until 1834. During this time they contracted with William and Robert Nunns to make some of their pianos. This piano is serial number 243 and has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, felt (?) hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 pedals: dampers, an iron string-plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1835
maker
Dubois & Stodart
ID Number
MI.315700
catalog number
315700
accession number
58488
Neo-Irish style harp known as the Royal Portable Irish harp. It is non-pedal but with a sharpening mechanism. The fore pillar is square and of a modified S curve. On the inside of the pillar are 7 levers called "ditals", and each is labeled with a note of the scale.
Description (Brief)

Neo-Irish style harp known as the Royal Portable Irish harp. It is non-pedal but with a sharpening mechanism. The fore pillar is square and of a modified S curve. On the inside of the pillar are 7 levers called "ditals", and each is labeled with a note of the scale. The ditals are made of ivory. The inside of the pillar can be reached through a removable wooden piece which is kept in place by metal screws.

The string arm is curved and has 32 metal string pins, 32 metal bridge pins, and 30 sharpening "fourchettes." The arm also has a brass plate that extends almost the length of the string arm. The maker's name and address, along with the British coat of arms are engraved on this brass plate that reads, "John Egan - Inventor [/] 30 Dawson St. [/] Dublin [/] Maker-by Special Appointment [/] To His Most Gracious Magesty George IVth". At the shoulder end of the string arm is a brass knob or "button" of unknown function.

The soundbox is semi-circular and more narrow at the top than the bottom. In the middle of the flat soundboard is a strip of wood (a "string holder") that has 32 string holes. There are 29 string pegs that are probably made out of ebony wood. These pegs are grooved and are the mechanisms which hold the strings in place. The back of the soundbox has 4 rectangular sound holes.

The entire harp is painted a very dark green that almost looks black on the soundboard. Gilded garlands of shamrocks are painted on 4 sides of the column, the soundboard, the top of the string arm, and the sides of the sound box. The harp has no feet but rests directly on the bottom of the soundbox.

The maker of the harp, John Egan, was instrumental in a revitalization of the Irish Harp although his version was very different from the early harps of the ancient-medieval bards and musicians. The revitalization occurred circa 1819 and the new harps were made primarily for amateurs. This particular Egan harp has "ditals" for sharpening but Egan also made one with levers or blades. The dital range was turned to E flat major to give the fullest range of possible keys in which to play. The forked or "forchette" mechanism of this harp is similar to those found on larger pedal harps.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820 - 1830
ID Number
MI.380455
catalog number
380455
accession number
153000
This upright piano was made by Robert and William Nunns in New York, New York about 1831. It is a short cabinet upright, about 61 inches high.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano was made by Robert and William Nunns in New York, New York about 1831. It is a short cabinet upright, about 61 inches high. This piano is serial number 1444 and has a compass of FF-f4, an English sticker action, felt (?) hammers, double-strings, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, mahogany veneered case, and a silk front panel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1832-1834
maker
Robert & William Nunns
ID Number
MI.315699
catalog number
315699
accession number
58488
This square piano was made by Robert and William Nunns for Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York about 1830. Robert Nunns and his brother William emigrated from London to New York about 1821, and both worked for two years in the shop of Kearsing & Sons.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Robert and William Nunns for Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York about 1830. Robert Nunns and his brother William emigrated from London to New York about 1821, and both worked for two years in the shop of Kearsing & Sons. They established the firm of Robert & William Nunns in 1823, manufacturing pianos both for themselves and for the company of Dubois & Stodart. This piano is serial number 613 and has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, double-strings throughout, first 10 wound, with tuning pins in rear, 1 pedal: dampers, an iron hitch-pin plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1829-1831
maker
Robert & William Nunns
ID Number
MI.315697
catalog number
315697
accession number
58488
This flute was made by the shop of Phillip Otto Euler in Frankfurt am Main, Germany around 1818 to 1834. It is a 9-keyed flute, made of rosewood with German silver ferrules and keys, mounted on pillars. This flute is stamped:EULERFRANKFURTaMCurrently not on view
Description

This flute was made by the shop of Phillip Otto Euler in Frankfurt am Main, Germany around 1818 to 1834. It is a 9-keyed flute, made of rosewood with German silver ferrules and keys, mounted on pillars. This flute is stamped:

EULER
FRANKFURT
aM

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1818-1834
maker
Euler, Phillipp Otto
ID Number
MI.378579
accession number
144244
catalog number
378579
This square piano was made by William Geib in New York, New York around 1835. William was the son of John Geib, a prominent piano maker and dealer and music publisher in New York.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by William Geib in New York, New York around 1835. William was the son of John Geib, a prominent piano maker and dealer and music publisher in New York. This piano is serial number 6662 and has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, felt (?) hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 pedal: dampers, wood frame, and a rosewood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1830
maker
Geib, William
ID Number
MI.315696
catalog number
315696
accession number
58488
This upright piano was made by Christian Frederick Ludwig Albrecht in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1835. It is a “cabinet piano,” about 6 feet tall, in a rectangular case that reaches to the floor. Christian F.L.
Description
This upright piano was made by Christian Frederick Ludwig Albrecht in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1835. It is a “cabinet piano,” about 6 feet tall, in a rectangular case that reaches to the floor. Christian F.L. Albrecht was trained as a cabinetmaker and apparently improved his income from the piano trade by cabinetry. This piano has a compass of FF-f3, an English sticker action, leather (?) hammers, double- and triple-strings, 3 pedals: keyboard shift, moderator, and dampers, wood frame, and a wood case, gilded with columns and a silk top panel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1835
maker
Albrecht, Christian Friedrich Ludwig
ID Number
MI.299845
catalog number
299845
accession number
61285
This pipe organ was made by an undetermined maker in New England, United States, around 1825-1835. It has a single keyboard, C - f3. The organ’s disposition is as follows:8' Open Diapason? (from a)8' Stopped Diapason4' Principal (or flute)Blocked slideCurrently not on view
Description

This pipe organ was made by an undetermined maker in New England, United States, around 1825-1835. It has a single keyboard, C - f3. The organ’s disposition is as follows:

8' Open Diapason? (from a)
8' Stopped Diapason
4' Principal (or flute)
Blocked slide

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1835
ID Number
MI.299835
accession number
61285
catalog number
299835

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