TubeNet

I promise to take some better pictures soon, but I couldn't wait to post this:

I was able to acquire today a trunk that was allegedly used in John Phillip Sousa's band to transport sousaphones.
This is according to former principal trumpet in the Navy Band, Tom Hawkins, who got the trunk from a fellow bandsman who acquired it from a member of the Sousa band.

Unfortunately, there's nothing to officially corroborate the claim that is is indeed Sousa's, but I see no reason that this man would be dishonest, especially considering that he was not trying to sell it.

Worst case scenario (pun intended), It's just a really cool antique sousaphone trunk, but best case, I have stumbled upon an incredible piece of brass instrument history. Either way, I got to hear some incredible stories of Mr. Hawkins's time in the service and some of the great experiences he has as a Navy bandsman.

Pictures:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a-FTbF ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QIju8t ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank

Wow!! Pictures please!!

For comparison sake, there is a large Conn Sousaphone with its trunk from 1924 in the collection at the Sousa Archives at the University of Illinois. Photos are toward the bottom of this blog post: http://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2012/11/ ... today.html

Dave Detwiler wrote:For comparison sake, there is a large Conn Sousaphone with its trunk from 1924 in the collection at the Sousa Archives at the University of Illinois. Photos are toward the bottom of this blog post: http://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2012/11/ ... today.html

I have seen that horn. As an alumni of Illinois, it was amazing to have so many historical artifacts housed just upstairs from where I rehearsed every day. They do look strikingly similar. Although my case has been 'gutted' and no longer has any of the internal padding.

I'll post better pictures soon.

.

UPDATE: Better pictures and a clarification of the trunk's history from director of the Sousa Archives, Scott Schwartz:

...a point of clarification on trunk. It is most likely the trunk was used by the Great Lakes band during the time Sousa served as its commander during and immediately after WWI. As I told Tom when we talked there us no physical evidence with this trunk that links it with the civilian band. This was the reason why the Center didn't consider adding it to its collection. That's when I suggested to Tom that you might be interested in preserving it. Having said this I am glad you have this interesting object.

So, not a trunk from the John Phillip Sousa Band, but still likely a trunk from a band he commanded, which is still very interesting.

Better pictures Here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G4p6cf ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I3JJMX ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TB0sku ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-BWANG ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VpwtGu ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uMeoW5 ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hHeJPn ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Zv5YF ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PX9DCV ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12QFJQG ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UTTzAq ... sp=sharing" target="_blank" target="_blank