Oboe – TRAPP, Hermann
This is a grenadilla oboe with nickel silver keys by Hermann TRAPP (1855-?). Hermann Trapp seems to have set up his instrument shop in 1878 where he was born in Neukirchen bei Eger after having trained in Paris, Vienna and Linz. Then he moved to Wildstein in 1893, which is now called Skalná in the Czech Republic.
In his own advertisements in 1898, he describes himself as:
“Hermann Trapp, Wildstein Musical instrument and string factory – with imperial and royal privilege – by Hermann Trapp, Wildstein b. Eger (Bohemia). A most excellent source of supply for the finest instruments and strings of all kinds with guaranteed excellent tuning. Direct and cheap, as in this region close to 10,000 workers in the musical goods industry produce all existing musical instruments and their components. Supplier for church, theatre and military bands. Multiple awards with first prize. Exports worldwide.”
This instrument dates to before 1893 when Hermann Trapp set himself up in Wildstein. We can estimate it was made around 1880. It is in very good condition and plays at a pitch of a=440 Hz.



