2-832-886 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

African-American musician and composer Alton Augustus Adams (1889-1987) was the first black bandmaster in the United States Navy. A silver flute in three parts. The head joint (2014.263.1.1a) has a lip plate with an embouchure hole near the crown of the flute. The other end of the piece is open. A removable silver cap (2014.263.1.1d) can be placed over the opened end. The flute body (2014.263.1.1b) has raised ribs on one side where the head joint slides into to it. Inscribed on this end is [ALTON A ADAMS / (logo for H. BETTONEY / BOSTON) / BANDMASTER / ST. THOMAS V. I. or U.S. / 5 512 / PAT. SEPT. 14. 1915]. Keys are on one side of the body. A removable silver barrel (2014.263.1.1e) can be placed over this end of the flute. The foot joint (2014.263.1.1c) of the flute has raised ribs where it attaches to the body. Keys are on one side of the foot joint.