Baritone trombacello, B-flat
Maker
Graves & Co.
Date1842-1848 ca.
Place MadeWinchester, New Hampshire, United States, North America
Serial No.57
SignedEngraved on plate on valve assembly: Graves & Co. / Winchester N. H. / No. 57.Markingsnone
DescriptionUpright bell instrument made entirely of brass. Three double-piston valves with short levers and flat-springs (derived from Old Mainz Model valves), to be operated by the player's left hand. Additional tuning shank and original brass mouthpiece.
One of only five such instruments known to survive.
DimensionsHeight: 925 mm
Bell diameter: 195 mm
ProvenanceThis rare trombacello was discovered in May 1990, in a barn in Lawtons, Erie County (western New York State), still stored in its original wooden case, filled with old shirt sleeves for padding. Mark R. Jones, a brass instrument collector in the area, purchased it from a descendant of a farmer named Levi A. Taft (born Danby, Vermont, November 21, 1836-died Brant Center, Erie County, New York, 1910).
According to family history, the trombacello may have been played by Levi and/or his Quaker father, Phineas, who moved his family from Vermont to Collins, Erie County, sometime after 1833, remaining there until his death on September 1, 1865. Following its purchase, Jones had the instrument restored to playing condition by Robb Stewart of Arcadia, California.
It is likely that the Tafts purchased their trombacello from the musical instrument dealer and melodeon-manufacturer, George A. Prince, who represented Graves & Co. in the Buffalo area, according to an advertisement in the Buffalo "Commercial Advertiser and Journal," October 8, 1844, p. 2: "GRAVES'S MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS—George A. Prince has this day received—Bass Trombacellos in F.; Bass Trombacellos in Eb; Eb Bugles, 9 keys; B [Bugles] 9 [keys] (new pattern.); Post Horns in Bb. The above, together with a full assortment of the instruments manufactured by Graves & Co., may always be found at the Piano Forte and Music Store, No. 200 Main street, nearly opposite the Farmer's Hotel. George A. Prince, Agent for Graves & Co."
Published References"Jones Acquires Graves Trombacello," _Newsletter of the American Musical Instrument Society_ 20, no. 2 (June 1991): 15.
"News of the Field -- Trombacello," _Historic Brass Society Journal_ 2 (1990): 211-212.
"1991 Acquisitions Include Rare Andrea Amati Violin," _Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 19, no. 2 (January 1992): 3.
"1991 Acquisitions at USD Music Museum," _Newsletter of the American Musical Instrument Society_ 21, no. 1 (February 1992): 9.
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Clifford and LaVonne Graese, 1991
Object number05261
On View
Not on view
