Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury Presentation Cornet: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This cornet was made by Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory in Boston, Massachusetts in 1877. It is a presentation cornet made of silver with 3 top action rotary valves. The cornet is engraved:

Presented to Joseph W. Bradley by the members of the BLACKSTONE Cornet Band May 3rd, 1877 Made by the BOSTON Musical Instrument Manufy.

The development of valves in the 1830s, as well as improvements in the construction of brass musical instruments, allowed for brass instruments to produce every pitch within their range and made it possible for players to easily switch parts or instruments. Brass bands were popular in the United States in the mid-19th Century through the early 20th Century. Most communities, large or small, had a brass band that was funded by local businesses or residents. During their heyday, brass bands were an expression of community pride and achievement. This cornet was used by a member of The Blackstone Band in Blackstone, Massachusetts.

Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory was formed when the E.G. Wright Company and Graves & Company merged in 1869. By 1902, the company name was changed to the Boston Musical Instrument Company.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1877
• maker: Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory
• maker: Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory
• Object Name: cornet
• Physical Description: silver (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 13 in x 4 in x 6 3/4 in; 33.02 cm x 10.16 cm x 17.145 cm
• Measurements: overall: 13 in x 6 1/2 in x 4 1/2 in; 33.02 cm x 16.51 cm x 11.43 cm
• place made: United States: Massachusetts, Boston
• ID Number: 1984.0700.01
• accession number: 1984.0700
• catalog number: 1984.0700.01
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.