Lacking any marks for who, when, or where
the fate of most vintage photographs
is reduced to basic curiosity.
Who are these people?
the fate of most vintage photographs
is reduced to basic curiosity.
Who are these people?
In my collection there are hundreds
of such anonymous photographs of musical groups.
Small clues in this grainy 10" x 8" print suggest
these musicians posed for a camera
at some vague time in the late 19th century
somewhere in the United States.
But finding their personal details
are regrettably impossible.
Were some of the men brothers?
Father and son?
of such anonymous photographs of musical groups.
Small clues in this grainy 10" x 8" print suggest
these musicians posed for a camera
at some vague time in the late 19th century
somewhere in the United States.
But finding their personal details
are regrettably impossible.
Were some of the men brothers?
Father and son?
A cello and a snare drum
are not out of place in an orchestra.
But what kind of orchestra would include
a double-bell euphonium?
A novelty solo instrument
usually found in brass bands.
are not out of place in an orchestra.
But what kind of orchestra would include
a double-bell euphonium?
A novelty solo instrument
usually found in brass bands.
And what about the dog
lying down in front like a sack of potatoes?
What position did this canine
hold in the orchestra?
lying down in front like a sack of potatoes?
What position did this canine
hold in the orchestra?
Yet for sheer humor of the human condition
nothing beats a photo with funny face.
Any flutist with such a schnoz and mustache
must have been a remarkable character
even if it was a theatrical fake disguise.
nothing beats a photo with funny face.
Any flutist with such a schnoz and mustache
must have been a remarkable character
even if it was a theatrical fake disguise.
It's proof that even a photograph
of an unknown orchestra
can be a priceless artifact of music history.
of an unknown orchestra
can be a priceless artifact of music history.
This is my contribution to Sepia Saturday
where everything has gone to the dogs this weekend.
where everything has gone to the dogs this weekend.
