Below is the latest addition to the Trombone History Timeline (19th century—2nd half). c. 1870—English artist Robert Alexander Hillingford (1828-1904) paints Trombone Player. The unusual grip and posture of the player reflect a humorous struggle (not to mention the impossible…
humor
German Chancellor Serenades with Trombone
Just added the below image and caption to the Trombone History Timeline (19th Century—2nd half). Another 19th century trombone image using humor/satire. 1870-71—Paris, France: A satirical lithograph by caricaturist De La Tramblais shows German Emperor Wilhelm I and Otto…
Melody for 200 Trombones: Caricatures by J.J. Grandville
I recently added some images by J. J. Grandville (1803-1847; original name: Jean-Ignace-Isidore Gérard), a famous French caricaturist who frequently portrays musical subjects, to the 19th century timeline (1st half). The four Grandville images that include trombone, shown below, represent…
Trombone Saves Man's Life
Just added this touching story to the 19th century timeline (2nd half): 1875—New York: Harper’s Magazine publishes a humorous fictional piece, “The Story of a Trombone,” with illustrations by Charles Reinhardt. The story is about a man who lives below…
Bassoonist Does Battle
Another off-topic post, again about an image that I couldn’t pass up from Cassin-Scott and Fabb’s Military Bands and Their Uniforms (London: Blandford Press, 1978): We occasionally hear stories about military musicians pressed into actual combat situations. This picture, a…
Trombone History: Pair of Early Circus Posters
I continue to add to the 19th century timeline (2nd half). Over the weekend I added a pair of circus posters, both of them highlighting musicians. The first one, from Ringling Brothers, shows a large band with 10 trombones. The second,…
Head of a Dragon, Body of a Trombone
Added another image to the 19th century timeline. This one, a print from France’s L’Illustration, features a buccin, or trombone with a bell in the shape of a dragon head (see 1873, below). The instrument apparently saw its creation and…
Trombone Images from 19th Century London Newspapers
I have recently added quite a few trombone images to the 19th century timeline (1st half, 2nd half). Many of them originate from London. Collected below are all the pictures from the 19th century timeline that come from London. As…
Another Circus/Clown Trombone Image
Added a trombone image to the 19th century timeline (2nd half). It’s quite a colorful poster, another image related to the circus/clown theme in trombone history that seems to comprise a trend in the late 19th century (see earlier post)….
19th Century Trombone Images: A Painting, A Postcard, and Two Posters
Added several images to the 19th century Trombone History Timeline (2nd half). I don’t know that there’s really any overarching theme here, unless perhaps it’s humor. c. 1855—Artist Albert Kindler includes a trombonist in his painting After the Wedding. The…