A Mystery Band

Many photographs are mysteries frozen in time. Where is this band? When was this photo taken? No one bothered to write anything onto the back of this wonderful postcard, so we must guess. It reminds me of a children's book, Where's Waldo? Let's look more closely, maybe his striped shirt will peak out from behind the bandstand. {click the image to zoom}

This is a big band with 30 players, not counting one more at the back of the bandstand. They stand in a traditional circle/square with the first cornet leading from the center. There are 4 French horns which is not typical for a town band. And they are piston valve horns too. At the six o'clock position with his back turned to the camera, is a bassoonist, again an unusual band instrument. The player at 5 o'clock seems to have no instrument, but he does have a cane. Maybe he is a piccolo player waiting to play the trio section. Didn't Waldo have a cane? Most, but not all, are playing from music folios clipped to their instruments. This is a pretty sophisticated group of professional-like musicians.

I think they are a circus band. Or possibly a "military" band, which was a concert band that specialized in "military" march music but was not connected with the regimental army bands. John Philip Sousa had many talented competitors whose bands toured America.

The bandstand is decorated  with something like evergreen foliage rather than  patriotic bunting, so it's not the grand and glorious 4th. But with several straw hats visible the people seem dressed for summer, and just to the left of the band  stands a dapper gentleman dressed in a striking white suit. Why is he looking away from the performance? Could he be the circus manager? The time is summer for sure and the dresses and hat styles suggest 1905-10.

On the bandstand, an older bandsman and a seated man both wear some kind of badge pinned to their lapels. Several other bandsmen have them too. There is a girl or maybe two at the back of the stage. Perhaps they will be part of the performance once the band moves onto the stand.

The store is named The Fair. There was a department store in Chicago called The Fair, contemporary with Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Wards. But with dirt streets this isn't Chicago, though there are trolley card rails, so this is not a small village. In the store window is a display with B.P.O.E. - the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Could this be an event for  the Elks Lodge?

Leaning against the large pillar, a man bends over showing the top of his straw boater. I think he is holding a camera taking a picture of the band too.  So many tantalizing clues and yet the mystery remains unsolved.   And we can't find Waldo either.

My contribution to Sepia Saturday