This reed organ was made by Abraham Prescott in Concord, New Hampshire, around 1835-1837. It is a small melodeon, with a rosewood case, single keyboard, with a compass of C-c3, and a pedal activated bellows suspended below the instrument. The instrument is marked:
A. PRESCOTT MANUFACTURER. CONCORD N.H.
Abraham Prescott (1789-1858) was an early American maker of melodeons, who concentrated on them after setting up his shop in Concord, New Hampshire in 1831. "Melodeon" is defined as a reed organ with a simple stand, rather than a cabinet-style enclosure, which descends to the floor. Reed organs gradually went out of fashion, as upright pianos became affordable and easily available around 1910.
This music strip was made by an unknown maker in the United States, around 1880-1890. It is a music strip (5 ½ feet long) - "He Will Hide Me,” with words by Mary Elizabeth Servoss and music by James McGranahan. 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.
This saxophone was made by Henri Selmer Co. in Paris, France, in 1935. It is an alto saxophone, Radio Improved Model, serial #20808. Accessioned with accessories and original case. This saxophone was previously owned and used by Willie Smith in the Harry James Band, as well as other jazz ensembles.
This sheet music is for "Music from King Solomon, Volume III," composed by Sigmund Mogulesko, and arranged for piano by Henry A. Russotto. It was published by Hebrew Publishing Company in Brooklyn, New York, in 1903.
These pants were made by an undetermined maker in the United States. They are made of black fabric with sheepskin chaps attached to front. There are two pockets in back and two side pockets.
These pair of pants were previously owned and worn by Johnny Puleo (1907-1983), an American harmonica player and actor. Puleo got his big break after performing at a contest held by harmonica player and actor, Borrah Minevitch (born Boruch Meinewitz, 1902-1955), and leader of the group The Harmonica Rascals. After Minevitch’s death in 1955, Puleo formed his own group, The Harmonica Gang. The group performed throughout the world and made several recordings during their association. Puleo appeared in several television programs and films.
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.
This music strip was made by an unknown maker in the United States, around 1880-1890. It is a music strip (5 ½ feet long) - "Darling Nelly Gray,” by Benjamin Hanby. 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.
This music strip was made by an unknown maker in the United States, around 1880-1890. It is a music strip (10 ¾ feet long) - "General Garfield’s March.” 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.
This harp guitar was made by C.F. Martin and Company of Nazareth, Pennsylvania in 1905. Harp guitars were designed to provide a fuller bass response and more harmonic possibilities than standard guitars. According to Martin company records, this harp guitar was shipped in 1906 to Lewis & Son, violin dealers, in Chicago. The donor’s father, Fred Norman Vanderwalker is believed to have been the first owner of this harp guitar. This 000-28 model guitar, serial #10163, is one of five known harp guitars made by C.F. Martin and Company, none of which were made to the same specifications. It is notable for its double mahogany neck arrangement, large body style, highly figured rosewood ribs and back, and a harp peghead in the Viennese style of Johann Stauffer. C.F. Martin apprenticed in Johann Stauffer's shop before emigrating to America in 1833.
This sheet music is for the song "As Ich Hob Kein Masal," by Solomon Small [Smulewitz] and arranged by Louis Friedsel. It was published by Hebrew Publishing Company in New York, New York, in 1921. The cover features an image of composer Solomon Small [Smulewitz] (1868-1943).
This sheet music is for the songs "Sol A Mol Shoin Sholem Sain" and "As Ich Hob Kein Masel," by Solomon Small and arranged by Louis Friedsell. These were published by Hebrew Publishing Company in New York, New York, in 1921.
Thi sheet music is for the song "Seven Boarders," by Solomon Small [Smulewitz] and arranged by Joseph M. Rumshinsky. It was publishing by Hebrew Publishing Company in New York, New York, in 1917. The cover features an image of composer and conductor Joseph M. Rumshinsky (1881-1956).
This cornet was made by C.G. Conn in Elkhart, Indiana in 1901. It is a B-flat cornet, New York Wonder model serial #67317, made of silver plated brass, and has 3 piston valves. This cornet is accessioned with an original case and mouthpiece. It is engraved:
NEW YORK WONDER MADE BY C.G. CONN ELKHART IND. AND NEW YORK
The second valve on the cornet is stamped “PAT. JUNE [/] 15, 1886” which refers to United States Patent #343888 granted to Charles G. Conn for “Improvements in Cornets, and other Piston-Valve Musical Instruments.”
This cornet was previously owned by the donors’ father, Francis Morton Messick (1908-1969).
This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a Marine Band model in the key of C, with 14 holes and 28 reeds. It has a red-stained wood comb with metal cover plates attached with screws and nuts. Accessioned with original burgundy plastic case. The harmonica is engraved:
MARINE BAND M. Hohner
(and stamped on the case):
MARINE BAND No. 365 MADE BY M.HOHNER
This harmonica was previously owned and used by American singer, harmonica player, and recording artist, Junior Wells (born Amos Wells Blakemore, Jr., 1934-1998). During Wells’ nearly 4-decade career, he performed internationally and made recordings with several blues musicians including Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, and Buddy Guy. He also performed with The Rolling Stones. Wells made several recordings for States, Chief, and Delmark labels.
This sheet music is for the piano composition "Waves of the Danube," by Joseph M. Rumshinsky. It was published by Hebrew Publishing Company in New York, New York, in 1913.
This saxophone case was made by Selmer, probably United States, 1950s. It is made of molded plastic, with metal fittings and trim, and burgundy plush interior. Accessioned with Selmer saxophone (1990.0087.01).