Alto valve trombone in E-flat 1830 - 1880

This alto valve trombone in E-flat was crafted by August Pollmann, and while we don't know the exact date, the instrument speaks volumes about 19th-century manufacturing. The trombone is made of brass, a metal prized for its acoustic properties and resistance to corrosion, but also for its workability. The creation of this instrument would have involved a range of skilled trades from metal casting to valve mechanism engineering. Notice the complex network of tubing and the precisely engineered valves. Each element required specialized knowledge and precision tools. The final assembly involved careful soldering and finishing. The trombone represents the ingenuity and resourcefulness of makers who blended craft traditions with emerging industrial practices. It reflects an era of mass production, in which musical instruments became more accessible, enriching cultural life for a wider population. By appreciating the labor and materials involved, we recognize the trombone not just as a musical instrument, but as a testament to human creativity.