Armin Hand papers, 1888-1957
Descriptive Inventory for the Collection at Chicago History Museum, Research Center
By Carroll Mickey.
© Copyright 2004, Chicago Historical Society, 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614-6038
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Main entry: Hand, Armin F., 1882?-1966.
Title: Armin Hand papers, 1888-1957
Dates: 1988-1957.
Size: 8 boxes.
A&M Accession#: M1976.0033
This descriptive inventory includes:
1. Brief biography,
2. Description of the collection,
3. Description of related material,
4. List of online catalog headings,
5. Provenance statement,
6. Storage designation,
7. Container list of boxes and folders numbers/titles.
1. Brief biography:
John A. Hand:
John A. Hand was a popular band leader in turn of the century Chicago. He was born on Oct. 26, 1828 (or 1831) in Wardern on Moselle, Prussia. He emigrated to the United State at the age of 20 and arrived at Chicago on Nov. 4, 1851. Upon his arrival, John A. Hand worked in a planing mill, but he soon turned to music for a livelihood. His career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War, in which he enlisted as a bugle boy in the 24th Illinois Band. He remained in his adopted country’s service throughout the war.
In 1869 John A. Hand formed his own orchestra and again embarked on a career destined to make his band the toast of Chicago’s socialites. He played at many society events, such as the weddings of General Philip Sheridan, Potter Palmer, George M. Pullman, Arthur Caton (who married Mrs. Marshall Field, Sr.), and a host of others. His band also played at the World's Columbian Exposition.
Mr. Hand also initiated public concerts in Chicago’s parks, which were supported by public subscriptions until he received a contract from the park board. Subscriptions for concerts were received from such notables as the original Marshall Field, the Armours and the Swifts.
John A. Hand was married and had five children, three sons and two daughters. His son (probably eldest) John Crear Arthur was a music teacher in Las Vegas, NM, where he died. Another son, Arthur, was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The third son, Armin F. Hand, was to become the director of his father’s band upon his retirement. John A. Hand’s wife died in 1905 while he was directing a dance at the Onwentsia Club. He never fully recovered from the shock of her death. He followed her in death on Oct. 18, 1916, after a couple of years of decline in health.
Armin Hand:
Prior to John A. Hand’s death, son Armin (who was born in 1882 probably) became the director of the Johnny Hand Band (later to be called Hand’s Band). He had been a student of music under his father and also under John Philip Sousa. At the age of seventeen he had begun conducting his father’s band.
He played most of the national political conventions held in Chicago. At the 1912 Bull Moose Convention he received an ivory, gold, and ebony baton from Theodore Roosevelt. With the coming of World War I, Armin gave up his band to enlist in the Navy, and he became John Philip Sousa’s first assistant in the 350-piece Great Lakes Naval Training Station Band. In order to start a band after the war, he borrowed $2500 from General Charles Gates Dawes, which enabled him to begin his career again. This band played, among other places, in amusement parks and in the silent movie houses of Chicago.
Armin F. Hand became a leading military bandmaster. Under his directorship the Chicago Board of Trade Band of the American Legion won two national championships in Legion competition. He also once won the national championship of the Veterans of Foreign War competition. For a time his band was appointed the official band of the City of Chicago.
Armin Hand also played for many Chicago sporting events including the All-Star baseball and football games and ballgames played by the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Cardinals. For many years he played at the Chicago Society Horse Show and The International Livestock and Horse Show. Following his father’s example, Armin frequently played and was a leading attraction in outdoor concerts in Grant Park, among other parks. He played command performances for Presidents Wilson, Taft, McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt.
Included in the many honors received by Armin Hand were three commissions from the State of Illinois. The first was received on Dec. 28, 1934, as a Col. Aide on the Personal Staff of the Governor. The second was as a Second Lieutenant First Infantry in the Illinois Reserve Militia on Apr. 3, 1944. The final one was as a First Lieutenant of Infantry in the Illinois Reserve Militia on Nov. 20, 1945.
In 1909 Armin Hand had eloped with Elizabeth Regneri, a pretty singer with his father’s band. She died in July 1964. Armin died two and a half years later, on Dec. 23, 1966. He was survived by two sons, Armin F., Jr., and John A., and a daughter Mrs. Rita Casten.
Armin F. Hand, Jr., followed in the musical footsteps of his father and grandfather. He, too, became a bandleader and played at the Chicago Bears football games and other social and civic events. His hope is that his son, Armin III, will continue the family’s musical tradition.
Description of the collection:
Engagement books listing concerts, contracts, scrapbooks of clippings, programs, and a few photographs, lists of songs, correspondence, and other business and family papers of Armin F. Hand, who succeeded his father as leader of Johnny Hand's Band and Hand's Band (beginning ca. 1900), worked for John Philip Sousa at Great Lakes Naval Training Station Band during World War I, and later led the Chicago Board of Trade Band and became nationally known as a leader of military bands. Includes materials from and about his father, John A. Hand, whose band played at many Chicago social events, and of his brother John C.A. Hand, a musician in Las Vegas. Hand's bands performed at veterans' and patriotic events and concerts in Grant Park, Soldier Field, Ravinia, and other parks; at Bull Moose convention of 1912 and other political conventions, at Chicago Bears football games, 1932 World Series, and other sporting events; at funeral of Cardinal Mundelein and other civic events in the Chicago area. Scrapbooks are v. 1: 1888-1898, v. 2: 1916-1917, v. 3: 1910-1957, v. 4: 1911-1919, v. 5: 1919-1920, v. 6: 1920-1950, v. 7; 1932-1935, v. 8: 1934-1950; and a notebook on Carnival of Nations, Dec 22, 1934.
Description of related material:
Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Armin F. Hand collection of visual materials (1989.0163) and the Armin F. Hand photograph collection (1980.0122). A detailed description of contents of 2 albums/scrapbooks in the Armin F. Hand collection of visual materials (1989.0163) is provided at the end of the container list for the papers.
List of online catalog headings:
The following headings were placed in the online catalog for this collection:
Main entry: Hand, Armin F., 1882?-1966.
Subject headings:
Hand, Armin F., 1882?-1966.
Hand, John A., 1828-1916.
Sousa, John Philip, 1854-1932.
Hand's Band (Chicago, Ill.)
Chicago Board of Trade Band.
Bands (Music)--Illinois--Chicago--19th century.
Bands (Music)--Illinois--Chicago--20th century.
Celebrities--Illinois--Chicago.
Concerts--Illinois--Chicago.
Conductors (Music)--Illinois--Chicago.
Musicians--Illinois--Chicago.
Sports--Illinois--Chicago.
World War, 1914-1918--Illinois--Great Lakes.
World War, 1914-1918--Anniversaries, etc.
Chicago (Ill.)--Social life and customs.
Chicago (Ill.)--Social conditions.
Great Lakes Naval Training Center (Great Lakes, Ill.)
Form/genre:
Appointment books.
Clippings.
Contracts.
Group portraits.
Photoprints.
Programs.
Scrapbooks.
Added entries:
Hand, John A., 1828-1916.
Provenance statement:
Gift of Edwin B. Hadfield, 1976 (A&M Accession #: M1976.0033).
Storage designation:
Collections: Armin Hand.
Container list of box and folder numbers and titles.
Box 1
Folders:
John A. Hand’s engagement book Nov 12, 1902-Dec. 31, 1909
Armin F. Hand’s engagement books:
Dec 31, 1909-Dec 31, 1910
Dec. 31, 1910-Dec. 31, 1911
July 6, 1936-Nov 8, 1937
Dec 3, 1936-Dec 15, 1938
July 1, 1938-Dec 18, 1938
June 30, 1939-May 30, 1940
Box 2
Armin F. Hand’s engagement books:
Jan 20, 1940-Sept 2, 1941
Jan 31, 1941-June 4, 1941
July 14, 1941-Apr 25, 1942
Feb 12, 1942-Apr 10, 1943
Jan 21, 1943-Oct 18, 1943
Oct 19, 1943-May 30, 1944
Jan 3, 1944-Mar 14, 1945
SHELF (Too large for box):
Jan 11, 1945-Dec 2, 1945
Feb 12, 1946-Nov 8, 1946
Box 3
Index to song file
3 Lists of song titles (one with some music)
Notebook on Carnival of Nations Dec 22, 1934
Box 4
1 John A. Hand miscellaneous. Includes a subscription for concerts with Marshall Field’s signature
2-4 Armin F. Hand correspondence dealing with band engagements
Armin F. Hand:
5 Engagement contracts
6 Tax guides
7 Income tax returns (very few)
8 Tax withholding forms
9 Tax reports and receipts
10 Tax correspondence
11 Payroll sheets
12 Payroll correspondence
13 Miscellaneous receipts
14 Band contracts and stationery
1516 Miscellaneous correspondence
17-18 Printed material
19 Newclippings
vol. 1 John A. Hand, Jr., Dec. 1888-June, 1898
Clippings, mainly Dec 1888-Dec 1889, deal with his music teaching and recitals by his students. Included are programs from recitals. He lived (and died) in Las Vegas, NM.
vol. 2 John A. Hand and Armin F. Hand, Sept 1916-July 1917
Many clippings and programs. Includes clippings on John A. Hand II, death of John (Johnny) A. Hand, various events and place at which Hand’s Band played programs including many from Covent Garden.
vol. 3 Armin F. Hand, Aug 1910-Dec 1957
Many clippings and programs. Clippings on: engagements of band, John A. Hand III, Chicago Bears, I Am An American Day at Soldier's Field (May 9, 1911), American Legion National Convention, Carnival of Nations at Chicago Stadium (Dec 22, 1934), article on first phone call from Chicago to New York. Programs include: Rodeo and Thrill Circus (Jan 18-25, 1942), 1932 World Series, All-Star football game (Aug 31, 1938), Jackson Park Concert, Lincoln’s birthday service.
vol. 4 Armin F. Hand, June 1911-Nov 1919
Many clippings and a few programs. Clippings on: Armin Hand and his band, Johnny Hand’s death, advertisements of places band played, article on Col. Teddy Roosevelt quelling fire at convention in Coliseum (Chicago) where Armin Hand was playing. Programs include: Logan Square Concert.
vol. 5 Armin F. Hand, Nov 1919-Mar 1920
Clippings mostly from German papers, they deal with Armin Hand and his band, concerts by them at Turner Hall.
vol. 6 Armin F. Hand, May 1920-Aug 1950
Many clippings and programs, a few thank you letters. Clippings on: Armin Hand, his band at G.O.P. convention in 1920, Johnny Hand III, engagements by band, advertisements of places band played, Franklin Roosevelt at Cubs Park, American Legion Post Band, parades, Tribune Centennial, Chicago Bears, I Am An American Day, 1944 Republican convention, Pullman shipyard building ships for Battle of the Atlantic, Chicago Subway Opening, 1943 and 1944 All-Star games, Cubs Park, Century of Progress. Programs include: 1932 World Series, 1940 Armistice celebration, Grant Park Concert, Lincoln birthday service, North Side Turner Hall.
vol. 7 Armin F. Hand, Mar 1932-Oct 1935
Mostly clippings with a few photos and programs. These deal mostly with American Legion events--its conventions, parades and band contests. Clippings on: many American Legion events, Armistice Day parades, Franklin Roosevelt addressing veteran soldiers making living Liberty Bell, flag, and Woodrow Wilson. Programs include: American Legion Armistice Day Services in 1934, LaGrange Legion Sunday Evening Club (Nov 6, 1932), National Commander Louis A. Johnson’s official visit to Chicago (Dec 9, 1932).
vol. 8 Armin F. Hand, Dec 1934-Sept 1940
Many clippings and programs. Clippings on: band engagements, parades, concerts, fairs, Livestock Show, Armistice Day, concerts at Ravinia and Grant Park, 1939 World Series, Police Fire and Thrill show. Cardinal Mundelein funeral, 1937 Inaugural ball, VFW champions. Programs include: Concerts in Grant, Garfield, Lincoln and Jackson Parks, 1938 Illinois State Fair, 1938 Armistice Ball, 1937 Inaugural ceremonies in Springfield (Ill.).
Volumes in Armin F. Hand collection of visual materials (1989.0163), include:
Album 1: Includes many pictures of Armin Hand and band around Chicago and the country (Marion, Ohio, Denver, New York World’s Fair, Portland) in parades and concerts, pictures of friends, associates and various well-known people. Some of these people include: John Philip Sousa, plus one picture of his house, Guy Lombardo (signed), Victor Herbert, Linger’s Midgets Band, Sousa with John A. Hand III, Bing Crosby, Burgess Meredith, Eddie Duchin, Marlene Dietrich, Paulette Goddard, John Garfield, Lucy Monroe and Arthur Hand. There also are pictures of events and places such as: Covent Garden, Marshall Field’s home, Cardinal Mundelein’s funeral, 1938 World Series, Century of Progress, Wrigley Park, 1935 World Series, Pantheon Theater, Lincoln Memorial, Pike’s Peak, Rogers Park concert, Hines Hospital (I Am An American Day on May 16, 1943, source of many of the photographs of stars. Also included in this book is a program from a Johnny Hand dance held at the Calumet Club. There are a few newsclippings regarding Armin Hand’s band’s engagements.
Album 2: Half pictures and the other half newsclippings and printed material. First half has many pictures of Armin Hand and the band in parades and concerts in various places such as New York World’s Exposition, Cub’s Park, on Lake Front in Railroad Fair, State Street Fair parade, All-American Day in Soldier’s Field, Lincoln’s tomb, State Street Christmas parade, also some majorettes, friends. Included in this part is a program of John Philip Sousa’s Golden Jubilee Tour in 1928 and a warrant of merit from the American Legion. The second half includes the following programs among others: Covent Garden, Riverview Exposition, Rodeo and Thrill Show, Winnetka Memorial Day, Governor’s Day, and Band Concert at the Municipal Pier. Newsclippings deal with: McArthur Day at Soldier’s Field, Johnny Hand III, Chicago Bears, Lincoln Birthday Celebration with Armin Hand and band, Johnny Hand Band, Gompers Celebration, Americanism in Bands (Mar 31, 1917), Christmas parade, Chicago Cardinals. There is a poster glued on inside back cover that states Hand All-American Band, Riverview Park (no year). Mar. 31, 1917 article on Americanism in bands discussed the term All-American Band and its meaning (that all its members were Americans, either native-born or naturalized, none were foreigners; that American musicians were superior to foreign musicians). Article questioned why the U. S. Marine Band in Washington was conducted by a foreigner. Article derives in part from a talk with Armin F. Hand.