Lot 93

Lot 93

Hilarious cabinet card featuring the Till Family Rock Band with their lithophone, which is a musical instrument consisting of a rock or pieces of rock which are struck to produce musical notes. The Till family was a 19th-century musical group from England that performed in the 1880s using a “rock harmonicon” or stone xylophone. Of course they became known as the first “rock band!” They also featured string instruments, and one of their creative “swinging harps” is next to the cello and violins. A portable xylophone is also seen on the floor. In addition, on the far-left side we see a pump organ. They were also known for playing musical glasses.  The largest of their lithophones, which we see here, would weigh over a ton and half pounds! There is a fascinating article by Bradley Strauchen-Scherer about the family on the Metropolitan Art Museum’s website: https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/wild-sound. 
The image shows the family in a grand parlor setting with a musical score that reads Grand Waltzes. The image is in very good condition with very nice tones and contrast. There are a few spots with some being in the original negative. By Henry Mayson, Keswick.

Opening bid $60