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Hi all - in my ongoing study of giant tubas, I have come across a fascinating description of a tuba built by F. Besson in 1889 for the Paris Exposition that year, and dubbed "La Prodigieuse."

It is first mentioned in the June 1889 edition of The British Bandsman, which refers to its nickname, and declares that the instrument is "fourteen feet high, bell upwards."

Less than two years later, this gigantic tuba was in the US, according to the April 11, 1891 edition of the Biloxi Herald, which is actually reprinting an article from The Continent of New York (and I assume "belt" should read "bell"):
What I have been unable to find is an image of this giant. Please let me know if you have any additional information about "La Prodigieuse," and esp. of you know of a photo or drawing of it. Thanks!

KiltieTuba wrote:Do you think it's the Amati FFF?

Do you mean this tuba?
If so, I don't think so, as initial evidence suggests that it was built by Bohland & Fuchs somewhere around 1912 - and it is only (!) 7 1/2 feet tall.

Bumblebee flight on the giant tuba wirth Prof. Jörg Wachsmuth (Melton Tuba Quartett)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8DV3cP ... e=youtu.be" target="_blank

build in 2012 in Marktneukirchen, 8 feet tall .. https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/la ... gest-tuba/" target="_blank

Last call for any information about this 14 foot beast of a tuba from 1889!

Also, hrender, the tuba you are showing above is very similar in layout to the giant Besson tuba at Harvard, but I'm told it is not a functioning horn (valves are fake). As you may be aware, it is at the Horniman Museum in London.

I have seen this one on display in the music museum in Marktneukirchen, Germany: https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/pi ... gest-tuba/" target="_blank

... and in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMq_tKtRZ5s" target="_blank