"When, at the age of 11, I was a member of the Blackstone Military band ... {I was a} virtuoso on what was called a "zobo" - a brass horn with a membrane on one end, which would transform humming to a delightfully brass impressiveness!"
[12/13/1930 to August Derleth in Lord of a Visible World, Joshi, 2000]
Even in the day no one had a clue what Lovecraft was talking about. Obviously it sounds much like a "kazoo", but Chrispy has found a few more clues with diligent research.
"Images from The Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection: "Harmonophone" Harmonica with Funnel-Shaped, Zobo Resonator, NMM 8396. "Harmonophone" harmonica with funnel-shaped resonator, Clover brand, Klingenthal, ca. 1900. Attached to the narrow end of the funnel-shaped resonating chamber is a cup-shaped "Zobo" mouthpiece containing a thin, vibrating membrane that is capable of producing a sound like a kazoo. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000. "
And, this Sears c. 1900 advertisment (Lovecraft would have turned 11 on Augist 20, 1901)
A typical, early 20th century military band:
A Zobo! Wow, Chris, this is an amazing piece of info. Very, very cool!
ReplyDeleteI have some friends, The Chestnut Brass Company, that specialize in old brass instruments. I'll have to check and see if they have a Zobo. This is just too amazing.
Thanks!
Fran