F. E. Olds and Son B-Flat Trumpet, used by Andrew Blakeney: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This trumpet was made by Frank Ellsworth Olds & Son in Fullerton, California around 1955 to 1956. It is a B-flat trumpet, Ambassador model, serial #178587, made of brass with 3 piston valves. This trumpet was previously owned and used by American jazz trumpeter, Andrew Blakeney. This trumpet is engraved:

Andrew “Andy” Blakeney (1898-1992) began playing professionally in Chicago around 1925. He moved to California the next year and would perform and record with several bands including Sonny Clay and Lionel Hampton. In the late 1930s, Blakeney played with Monk McKay’s band in Hawaii and would return to the mainland to perform in California throughout the 1940s to the 1950s. Blakeney’s later years were spent playing with groups including the Young Men of New Orleans and the Eagle Brass Band.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1955-1956
• user: Blakeney, Andrew
• maker: F. E. Olds
• Object Name: trumpet
• Physical Description: brass (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 19 in x 4 3/4 in x 6 in; 48.26 cm x 12.065 cm x 15.24 cm
• place made: United States: California, Fullerton
• ID Number: 2013.0215.03
• accession number: 2013.0215
• catalog number: 2013.0215.03
• serial number: 178587
• Credit Line: Gift of Dennis Levin
• 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.