Maker: King (H. N. White Company)

Model: N/A

Date: c. 1950

Geography: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Material: Brass

Serial Number: 317378

Accession Number: GL-310_A4-26

Provenance: Bequest of Ronald C. Knoener, conveyed by Jerry A. Young in 2020.

Key: B-flat

Pitch: Low

Bell Orientation: Bell Front (horn is upright)

Finish: Brass

Lacquer: Yes

Engraving: Engraved bell with “KING / MADE BY / The H. N. White Co. / CLEVELAND / OHIO” in wavy/zigzag text inside a large shield.

Mouthpiece: Yes

Accessories: No

Case: Yes

Notes:

Three piston valves with mother-of-pearl valve caps.
First and third valves stamped “1” and “3”. First valve stamped ‘“KING” / MADE BY / H. N. WHITE Co / CLEV’D, O.’ and serial number 317378. Stamped “378” on tuning slide.
Detachable bell
Excerpt about the trombonium from the 1946 H. N. White Company King Catalog: “This new instrument designed by the H. N. White Co., to displace the valve trombone, is rapidly becoming increasingly popular in marching bands everywhere. Possessing the same range and tone quality as a trombone, it has the added advantage of compact construction and easier, faster execution due to the substitution of valves for the slide. These advantages have made this instrument a boon to conductors of school bands who have discovered the practical uses of this versatile instrument in their bands.” (Source: www.hnwhite.com/trombonium)
According to the H. N. White Company website, Henderson N. White finished developing the trombonium in 1938. White died in 1940, so the trombonium was his final creation.