Keyed Bugle in Eb by E.G. Wright
Elbridge G. Wright started building brass instruments in the 1830s
and moved to Boston by 1841 where he made a speciality of making
the small Eb keyed bugles that became the solo instrument of brass
bands that were being formed all over the US. It is widely thought
that Wright made the finest keyed bugles in the world, sometimes of
Sterling silver, occasionally trimmed with gold and in at least one
instrument entirely out of gold. Most were copper with brass or
German silver trim, but this is the only known Wright bugle made
entirely of German silver. With decorative engraving it was likely
made to be presented to an important player. It has ten keys
mounted with hinge tubes on posts on heart shaped flanges that were
a trademark of the Boston keyed bugle makers. The tuning
mouthpipe shank and mouthpiece are reproductions of known
originals. It is 13 3/8" long with the shank and mouthpiece removed
and the bell diameter is 4 1/2". In the 1950s and 1960s it was owned
by Elden Benge and after his death went to Irving Bush.
The last photo below shows my bugle above a very similar 11 key
example made by Wright of Sterling silver (collection of Steve Ward).
Wright history from Robert E. Eliason, Early American Brass
Makers, The Brass Press, 1979.
Click on images to view larger photographs.
and moved to Boston by 1841 where he made a speciality of making
the small Eb keyed bugles that became the solo instrument of brass
bands that were being formed all over the US. It is widely thought
that Wright made the finest keyed bugles in the world, sometimes of
Sterling silver, occasionally trimmed with gold and in at least one
instrument entirely out of gold. Most were copper with brass or
German silver trim, but this is the only known Wright bugle made
entirely of German silver. With decorative engraving it was likely
made to be presented to an important player. It has ten keys
mounted with hinge tubes on posts on heart shaped flanges that were
a trademark of the Boston keyed bugle makers. The tuning
mouthpipe shank and mouthpiece are reproductions of known
originals. It is 13 3/8" long with the shank and mouthpiece removed
and the bell diameter is 4 1/2". In the 1950s and 1960s it was owned
by Elden Benge and after his death went to Irving Bush.
The last photo below shows my bugle above a very similar 11 key
example made by Wright of Sterling silver (collection of Steve Ward).
Wright history from Robert E. Eliason, Early American Brass
Makers, The Brass Press, 1979.
Click on images to view larger photographs.
