EARLY TOWN BAND : ELIDA, NEW MEXICO : BY BREEDING : MUSIC : RPPC 1907-1918

This striking real photo postcard (RPPC) captures a moment in early 20th-century New Mexico history with a beautifully composed group portrait of the Elida News Band from Elida, N.M. The band members are posed proudly in their crisp white uniforms and hats, each holding an instrument—cornets, trombones, tubas, drums, and other brass band staples. The large bass drum in the foreground is boldly labeled “Elida News Band N.M.” giving clear identification to this historic ensemble. The image is full of character, with each musician presenting a distinct expression, from serious and stoic to modestly smiling. Of special note are the two men in suits standing at the far right—possibly the band director and a community official—adding to the formality and significance of the occasion. The reverse of the postcard is marked AZO with four triangles pointed upward, dating it to approximately 1904–1918. Since the postcard has a divided back, it is likely that the postcard was actually published between 1907 and 1918. Along the left margin is the credit: “Photo by GUY O. BREEDING, ELIDA, N.M.”. Elida is a small village situated in Roosevelt County, eastern New Mexico. The closest major city to Elida, New Mexico is Lubbock, Texas, located approximately 100 miles east of Elida.  (SOLD)

Published in: on September 12, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DRUMMER BOY : IDENTIFIED UNIFORMED MUSICIAN : MONTPELIER, VERMONT : CABINET CARD

A young drummer poses for his photograph at the studio of Harlow in Montpelier, Vermont. The serious looking boy is likely proud to be wearing his band uniform. The reverse of the card has an inscription identifying the lad as Walter Huntley.  SOLD

Published in: on October 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF A UNIFORMED : ELEVEN PIECE BAND : DRESSED IN BLACK : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card portrait features eleven members of a band. They are wearing dark uniforms and with the exception of the drummer, they are holding small instruments. This musical gourp could be a community band, a religious band, or possibly a school band. Given the available evidence; there is no way of knowing. SOLD

Published in: on April 28, 2023 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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UNIFORMED BAND MEMBER AND HIS TUBA

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A uniformed band member poses for his studio portrait. He is holding his tuba and standing in front of a music stand. His plumed band hat rests on a large piece of furniture beside him. The photographer is unidentified. To view other photographs of musicians, click on the category “Musicians”.   (SOLD)

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Published in: on February 16, 2014 at 11:42 am  Comments (2)  
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TWO TRUMPETERS FROM STERLING, ILLINOIS

TRUMPETERS_0003Two trumpeters in band uniforms pose for their portrait at the Brown studio in Sterling, Illinois. This is one of those times that there is a need for consultation from one of the visitors to the Cabinet Card Gallery with band instrument expertise. Are these men holding trumpets, cornets, or bugles? One also wonders about the relationship between the two men in this photograph. Are they father and son?Unfortunately the subjects are not identified and their relationship, besides being bandmates, is unknown. In addition, the men’s uniforms lack patches or lettering to suggest their band affiliation. Research yielded no information about the photographer of this image.

Published in: on April 12, 2013 at 12:01 am  Comments (4)  
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UNIFORMED BAND MEMBER IN NEW YORK CITY

The young uniformed man in this cabinet card portrait appears to be a band member. However, it is also possible that he may be a cadet, a fireman, or a member of some other type of organization. His belt buckle has the letter “C” and the badge on his hat has the number “7”. Hopefully, a visitor to the cabinet card gallery may be able to pinpoint the exact type of unit that this subject represents. The photographer of this image is A. J. Hargrave. At the time of this photograph he was located at 68 West 23rd Street in New York City. To learn more about Hargrave and to view more of his photographs, click on the category “Photographer: Hargrave”.

Published in: on December 1, 2012 at 12:01 am  Comments (2)  
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THE BOYS IN THE BAND: TWO TUBA PLAYERS IN GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA

This cabinet card features two uniformed band members and their instruments, which according to my limited musical knowledge, are tubas. Note that the instruments have the written music  attached via musical symbol clips. Hopefully, a visitor to this site can leave a comment explaining the significance of the design of the clips. The musicians are handsome men and appear very serious as they pose for their portrait. The pin on the band members cap has the letters “DCB”. The meaning of this abbreviation is unknown. The photographic studio that produced this image was W. F. Kilborn of Grand Island, Nebraska.

Published in: on October 23, 2010 at 8:20 am  Comments (3)  
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Salvation Army Band Members in Grand Rapids, Michigan

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This Cabinet card is a photograph of three members of the Salvation Army Band. This is a terrific image of the band members, their instruments and their uniforms. The instruments are a baritone, trumpet and drum. The photographer was J. H. Young of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian Church Denomination organized in a quasi-military manner. The group does charitable and social service work aiding the poor. The organization was founded in 1865 in London, England, as Christian Mission.  In 1878 the group became the Salvation Army. The organization has expanded worldwide into 111 nations.

Published in: on February 3, 2009 at 1:24 am  Leave a Comment  
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