On Saturday 27th September 1913, the National Brass Band Championship Contests were held at the Crystal Palace. These consisted of six brass band sections, a military band section, a reed band section, and a boys’ band section. The Norwich Co-operative Prize Band, entered the Reed Band contest – although it could also have competed in the Military Band section. They managed to obtain 4th place against their opponents.
As was, as still is, common, a photograph of the band was taken at the contest to record the event. Such pictures were often turned into postcards for promotional material for the bands in the early 20th century. What is more unusual in this case is the fact that two sets of postcards were produced, one being a mirror image of the other.
There are various examples of ‘altered’ band photographs from this period, with players added or removed, but this is the first known one where a published mirror image has been produced.
The results of the two ‘non-brass’ contests at the Crystal Palace in 1913 were:
Military Band Section: 1. 5th Battalion The Buffs; 2. Hanney’s Military; 3. Reading Temperance; 4. 6th Battalion Welsh Regiment
Reed Band Section: 1. Birmingham Friends’ Institute; 2. Kidderminster Military ;3. 5th Essex; 4. Norwich Co-operative Society Prize Band
IBEW - the History of Brass Bands 