Los Angeles, California
F. E. Olds & Son

Metal
ca. 1920’s-1950’s
Length: 42 inches
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Trombones/Sackbuts

Engraving on Bell:  Frank J. D’Annolfo / Made by / F. E. Olds / & Son.  In between is an engraved bear standing on a stone slab and playing a trombone – the slab reads ‘Trade Mark’.  On the opposite side of the bear is engraved:  Los Angeles / Calif.   
Engraved on the rim:  Pat. Apr. 2, 1912
Engraved throughout the upper part of the bell are leaf-like and geometric designs.

Serial number on slide:  M7598

Custom made trombone by F. E. Olds and Son for the 1920’s – 1950’s famous American ‘Big Band’ Jazz trombonist Frank J. D’Annolfo (12/26/1907 – 5/5/2003).   D’Annolfo of Old Bethpage, New York, played (among others) with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Bunny Berigan, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Spivak and Guy Lombardo.  

This tenor trombone is what a ‘top of the line’ Pro-Custom made trombone for a ‘Star’ looked like with its highly engraved bell showing D’Annolfo’s name and a bear playing a trombone.  In the 1941 movie “Sun Valley Serenade” you can see Frank D’Annolfo playing this trombone as Glenn Miller leads the band.