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Phil's Old and Odd Brass Collection:
US Civil War 1860-65 Band Instruments
Trumpets
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Keyed Bugles
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and Tenor Tubas
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King EEb Raincatcher Tuba c.1920

This is a rare 4 valve EEb King Raincatcher "Sousaphone" made by the H.N, White Co, of Cleveland Ohio in 1919-1920 (Serial 67381).     This is the true marching tuba design as attributed to John Philip Sousa early in the 20th century.  Apparently he did not like the helicon bells pointed over to the side, and wanted the bass sound to waft over the band like a normal tuba with an upright bell.  The "Raincatcher" nickname was certainly appropriate! Later on, the  bell was turned forward - creating the modern sousaphone.  This particular horn is no longer in my collection as it seemed to fit only a small tubist (which I am not!)