Fifes Collection

Steady the Drums and Fifes, 1811. Colour photolithograph after Lady Butler, published 1960 (c). Associated with 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Foot, Battle of Albuera, 1811

Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife and her daughters
Louise, Princess Royal of Great Britain, Duchess of Fife (1867-1931), third child and eldest daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, pictured with her two daughters, Alexandra

Life on Board a Transport, Drums and Fifes on the Forecastle Deck (litho)
1043305 Life on Board a Transport, Drums and Fifes on the Forecastle Deck (litho) by Paget, Henry Marriott (1856-1936) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Life on Board a Transport)

Henry Clay Drum Corps, 30th May 1889 (b / w photo)
HGL396721 Henry Clay Drum Corps, 30th May 1889 (b/w photo) by Gentieu, Pierre A. (1842-1930); Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, Delaware, USA; (add.info.: Village outside Wilmington, Delaware)

Hanseatic fifers and drummers, Spanish Netherlands, 16th Century (colour litho)
3620662 Hanseatic fifers and drummers, Spanish Netherlands, 16th Century (colour litho) by Heins, Armand Jean (1856-1938); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hanseatic fifers and drummers)

Drums and Fifes, Grenadier Guards (chromolitho)
982986 Drums and Fifes, Grenadier Guards (chromolitho) by Simkin, Richard (1840-1926) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Drums and Fifes, Grenadier Guards)

Life in England: fifers of the Life Guards (engraving)
3627346 Life in England: fifers of the Life Guards (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Life in England: fifers of the Life Guards)

The Manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain, an Undress Rehearsal by the Drums and Fifes of the Manchester Regiment (litho)
1043005 The Manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain, an Undress Rehearsal by the Drums and Fifes of the Manchester Regiment (litho) by English School

Fifes and drums on board the school ship Bretagne (colour photo)
3098804 Fifes and drums on board the school ship Bretagne (colour photo) by French Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fifes and drums on board the school ship Bretagne)

Steady the Drums and Fifes, 1811 (colour litho)
3062551 Steady the Drums and Fifes, 1811 (colour litho) by Butler, Lady (Elizabeth S. Thompson) (1846-1933) (after); National Army Museum

In Memory of Gordon, the Service among the Ruins of the Residency at Khartoum (engraving)
1063674 In Memory of Gordon, the Service among the Ruins of the Residency at Khartoum (engraving) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: In Memory of Gordon)

A Sixteenth Century Marching Band With Drums And Fifes. After A Watercolour By A. Heins. From Cortege Historique Des Moyens De Transport. Published Brussels, 1886

Drums and Fifes by H. M. Bateman
An old man, dozing on a bench, is disturbed by the distant sound of the drums and fifes of a marching military band. Suffused with patriotism, he races off to find them and falls in

Drum and fife band, Hankow scouts and guides, China
The drum and fife band of the Hankow (Hankou) boy scouts and girl guides, China. Date: 20th century

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"Fifes: A Melodic Journey Through History" Steady the drums and fifes echo through time, resonating with tales of valor and celebration. From Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife and her daughters twirling to the enchanting tunes, to life on board a transport ship where drums and fifes enlivened the forecastle deck. In 16th-century Spanish Netherlands, Hanseatic fifers and drummers brought color to their performances with vibrant lithographs. The Grenadier Guards' chromolitho showcased the grandeur of drums and fifes marching in perfect harmony. England embraced this musical tradition as well, capturing moments like Life Guards' fifers engraving depicting life's rhythm in England. Salisbury Plain witnessed an undress rehearsal by Manchester Regiment's drums and fifes during maneuvers—a scene immortalized in a captivating lithograph. On board the school ship Bretagne, colorful photos captured young musicians passionately playing their beloved instruments—fifes leading melodies that stirred hearts. "Steady the Drums and Fifes, " an exquisite color lithograph from 1811, transports us back to a time when these instruments commanded attention. Even amidst tragedy, such as Gordon's memory at Khartoum Residency ruins depicted in an evocative engraving or H. M Bateman's whimsical portrayal of drums and fifes—their essence remains unyielding. They have woven themselves into history's tapestry—a testament to their enduring allure. Whether accompanying regal processions or invigorating soldiers on battlefields—they continue enchanting audiences with their melodious charm throughout generations. So let us celebrate these humble yet powerful instruments that have shaped cultures worldwide—fifes forever etched in our collective memory as guardians of rhythm and melody across centuries past—and those yet to come.