It's not commonly recognized
that horses like music.
But I can personally vouch
that horses are particularly
charmed by my instrument, the horn.
However, apparently some appreciate
the sound of a trombone too,
which is saying a lot
for equine standards of high culture.
that horses like music.
But I can personally vouch
that horses are particularly
charmed by my instrument, the horn.
However, apparently some appreciate
the sound of a trombone too,
which is saying a lot
for equine standards of high culture.
But who knew that a horse
could accompany a trombone
on pedal accordions?
could accompany a trombone
on pedal accordions?
The spotted pony pictured on this postcard is intently focused on its part in an outdoor performance with a man who plays a small rotary valve trombone, that is curiously dampened by a mute in the bell. The pony stands on a Persian carpet with three or four large squeeze boxes in front of it that are each equipped with spring bellows and a pair of small brass horns. Both are dressed in formal wear, in as much the man is in white tie and tailcoat, and the horse has a fancy leather harness topped with a feather plume. Is it a circus act? How many tunes did the pony know?
There is no caption on the front which would be typical for an entertainer's promotional postcard, and no postmark or message on the back, except for the publisher:
Lübecker Lichtdruckanstalt Schmidt & Gebr. Böttcher.
So this duo languished in my unknown file folder until I found a second identical postcard that was posted from Lillehammer, Norway on 19 July 1913.
Lilleh. 19-7-13
Kjære Tante
Det er Ole, som gaar og ber om nogen vil skrive dette kort. Han indres saa paa kortet, som dri loute ham. Ham har varet i S. mer (?) vilde ned iggen, for ham likte sig visit bedre hjenne. Skal hilse fra dem alle.
Hilsen fra vesle Ole.
Dear Aunt
It is Ole, who goes and asks if someone wants to write this card. He is recognized as such on the card, which was drawn to him. He has stayed in S. more wildly down the bank, because he liked his visit better than her. Greetings from all of them.
Greetings from little Ole.
Alternate translations welcomed in the comments.
Is it possible that this message from Ole
was dictated by the pony pictured on the front?
If it's talented enough to play duos with a trombonist,
then it's certainly possible that it had other skills.
Perhaps it could sing too.
was dictated by the pony pictured on the front?
If it's talented enough to play duos with a trombonist,
then it's certainly possible that it had other skills.
Perhaps it could sing too.
To demonstrate the musicality of horses
here is a YouTube video entitled
Serenading Wild Mustangs with my Trombone
from Farmer Derek.
Be patient until he adjusts the camera at 2:45.
here is a YouTube video entitled
Serenading Wild Mustangs with my Trombone
from Farmer Derek.
Be patient until he adjusts the camera at 2:45.
This is my contribution to Sepia Saturday
where people rarely
put the cart before the horse.
where people rarely
put the cart before the horse.
3 comments:
Trigger could also do tricks for Roy Rogers...but I couldn't describe them now. Love the Lone Trombone player with wild horses, and now of course have the ear worm On the Range.
Looks like an amazing performance!
I think I may be able to improve on the interpretation of (part of) the text on the back - Norwegian being closely related to Swedish:
"Han undres saa paa kortet som du lovte ham. Han har varet i S. men vilde ned igjen, for ham likte sig vist bedre hjemme." = He is wondering about the card that you promised him. He has been in S. but wanted to go back down, because it turned out he liked it better at home.
Not sure that really brings all that much more clarity to the context, though!
Wow. The video is amazing. I put it on full screen and fully enjoyed it. Ole is pretty amazing too.
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