Flute used by Alton Augustus Adams Sr.: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A silver flute in three parts used by Alton Augustus Adams Sr. The head joint (2014.263.1.1a) has a lip plate with an embouchure hole near the crown of the flute. The other end of the piece is open. A removable silver cap (2014.263.1.1d) can be placed over the opened end. The flute body (2014.263.1.1b) has raised ribs on one side where the head joint slides into to it. Inscribed on this end is [ALTON A ADAMS / (logo for H. BETTONEY / BOSTON) / BANDMASTER / ST. THOMAS V. I. or U.S. / 5 512 / PAT. SEPT. 14. 1915]. Keys are on one side of the body. A removable silver barrel (2014.263.1.1e) can be placed over this end of the flute. The foot joint (2014.263.1.1c) of the flute has raised ribs where it attaches to the body. Keys are on one side of the foot joint.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: ca. 1915
• Manufactured by: Cundy-Bettoney Company, American, founded 1907
• Subject of: Alton Augustus Adams Sr., Danish West Indian American, 1889 - 1987
• Type: flutes (aerophones)
• Medium: metal, cork, padding
• Dimensions: assembled: 1 11/16 × 26 3/8 × 1 1/2 in. (4.3 × 67 × 3.8 cm)
• Place made: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
• Place used: Virgin Islands of the United States, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Band (Music)
• Topic: Marching bands (Music)
• Topic: Military
• Object number: 2014.263.1.1a-e
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alton A. Adams, Jr. Trustee
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The displayed image also has an explicit CC0 designation. The underlying object's rights statement is: No Known Copyright Restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.