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A Band with Hats — and No Hats.
Hats on. Hats off.Hats on.Hats off.These two postcard photos of a band with and without their hats are unmarked. They would be otherwise unknown except that the dealer from whom I acquired these...
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The Band at the Old Campground
It's a man dressed in military uniform,but he is not exactly a soldier.He's standing in front of a tent,but he is not camping for recreation.He's armed with a large brass instrumentso he is a...
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The Band at the Big Show
Notice the reflection of the sceneryin the car windows isent(sic) itpretty? I am sending Claude one of each also GraceBroderick – tubaSmith – euphoniumHarrson – 1st tromboneDoyle – 2nd...
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The Sound of Fine Wine
Glassware rings and clinks.Crockery rattles and clangs. Bottles tinkle and plink. These are sounds which most people know well but few bother to study as a musical art. Wine bottles in...
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The Girls of Austrian Postcards
Youth and beautyare irresistible. A young pretty faceis hard to ignore.Artists have known this since forever.And so have publishers and advertisers.If a pleasing picture of an attractive girl will sell...
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Ruffles, Lace, and Violins
Her gaze is directwith posture relaxedand her violin at rest. This girl's eyes are cast upwardwith arms at easeyet cradling her violin .This young womanholds her violin her shoulderwith bow arm ready...
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All That Jazz
A very tiny micro storysketched from a large photoDavid turned toward the curtained end of his studio, put his finger to his lips, and paused a moment in thought. "Okay, boys. Here's what we're going...
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Herr und Frau Biedermeier
Nostalgia is a strong emotion.Remember that special place?That time when life was fresh and green? It's a powerful feeling to recall a sentimental life now past.Ultimately all our fond memories are...
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The Famous Twins
Every parent likes to think their child is remarkable.And parents of twins might be forgiven if their pride is doubled.But what exceptional talent could these two toddlers possibly have, cute as they...
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Name That Opera
The artistic depiction of the female bodyhasn't changed much since ancient times.It's all about arranging arms and torso for the most graceful and curvaceous effect. Of course the woman's costume is...
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Music Before the Storm
With a sunny smile for a sunny daya young man makes a cheerful link with the camera.His mates seem more soberbut their eyes look forward to a relaxing beer at the Gasthof after their performance. That...
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The Merry Brothers
Johann: You look very glum, Hans. Why so? Hans: I've lost my milk cow. Johann: That's terrible. Where did you last see her? Hans: She was in the barn last night, but this morning she is not there....
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The Well-dressed Trombonist - Valve and Plume Edition
The trombone has the simplest design for brass instruments.Just by sliding two parallel metal tubes you can change the length of the instrumentand get all the good notes of a musical scale. (And...
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A Musical Habit
A very tiny storyteased out of a cabinet card photo. It was a warm afternoon, but not unpleasantly so. Really a perfect April day thought Justina. The plane trees outside her classroom window...
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The Happy Couple
Husband and wife, side by side.It's a classic pose in art and photography.However in this small carte de visite photoone half of the happy couple sits while the other stands.In the 1860s-1870s when...
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The Ship's Orchestra
Once upon a time a man's mustachewas evidence of maturity and a mark of a gentleman.Cultivating lip hair to an impressive lengthwas a requirement to be part of the masculine community.A fine mustache...
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Four Well-dressed Pipers
The highland bagpipes are not an instrument for a person of shy temperamentor overly cautious nature.A piper must be brave, brash, even brazenbecause you can not play it softly and you can not hide the...
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Piccolo and Bass
They make an unlikely pair of buddies.One is very short and handles the highest musical pitches.The other is very long and sounds the lowest of notes. And sometimes the musicians who play themdon't...
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Mail Call
In 1914 a German infantry division consisted of approximately 18,000 soldiers.During the course of the war, with over 200 divisions in action,3.8 million German soldiers were spread around the Western...
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Music at the Fair
Are ya goin’ to the fair?Most folks we know will be there.There's Henry, Bob, and Uncle Lou,with all the kids and ladies too.Ya know the fellas in the band will play.It's goin’ to be a mighty grand...
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