Trumpet Stamp Board

The trumpet is one of the most popular instruments in a wide variety of genres around the world. This post features the many different types of stamps in my collection that show a trumpet. It is a different kind of post for this site. Typically, I feature a specific stamp or series and delve into the topic represented. This is a way to feature some stamps that I probably won’t write about in other ways. It will grow as my collection of trumpet stamps grow. Here is an excellent resource about trumpets on stamps. I hope you enjoy (of find useful) my trumpet stamp board.

Trumpets

Trumpets actually exist as an entire family of instruments and can be made of a wide variety of materials and in many different sizes. Basically, the trumpet is a wind instrument where the player creates sound by buzzing their lips into a mouthpiece. The tube of a trumpet is generally narrow and has a flared bell, and as a result the instrument create a bright, piercing sound.

The modern trumpet is made of brass and uses valves to create the chromatic pitches of a western scale. It is a high (in pitch) instrument, and as a result, usually plays the melody in an orchestra or band. Historically, the trumpet has represented royalty and power. It can be a loud instrument that makes an announcement, capturing the attention of a large group of people, or playing across a long distance.

Trumpet Stamp Board

One of my great interests is to interpret the imagery of music themes depicted on stamps. Trumpets of all types can be seen on stamps from many different countries, but this post is dedicated to representations of European-style trumpets including trumpets and related instruments.

The trumpet most often appears by itself, in stamp series featuring a variety of musical instruments. It also can be found on stamps that celebrate specific genres of music, from classical, to military, to jazz. Finally, it sometimes appears with famous musicians such as W. C. Handy and Louis Armstrong.

Trumpets

The first group on my trumpet stamp board are those that feature the instrument by itself in its entirety (or mostly). Most of these stamps are a part of series that feature other instruments.

Natural Trumpets

The first trumpets were long tubes with no holes, keys, slides, or valves. The player could only use the pressure of their lips and air to produce notes from the overtone series, based on the length of the tube.

Trumpeters

Finally, there are stamps that feature famous musicians playing the trumpet. The trumpet player Louis Armstrong appears on the stamps of many countries. You can also read about the stamps featuring Miles Davis and W.C. Handy in more in-depth articles on this site.

Orchestras

Military Bands

Bugles

Bugles are related to trumpets, but have a more conical bell creating a bit warmer sound. They typically do not have valves. They are very popular on stamps in part because of their association with the military.

Other