The "Snail Horn"

The resounding notes of the post horn have woven themselves into the fabric of society. Whether it be the nostalgic echo of its melodies signaling the arrival of mail in countryside settings or its symbolic presence on post offices and mailboxes, the post horn has, in one way or another, touched the lives of all. It stands not just as a musical instrument but as a dynamic force that transcends time, connecting us to the timeless rhythm of communication and the swift delivery of messages.

The horn makers were honored if they were employed to produce post horns for their country. Grinnell College of Music has a post horn that was made in Germany by Franz Hirschberg who was granted by His Royal Highness the Grand Duke to be the sole producer of post horns in Germany (Vetter). If one was to ever see one of his horns, there would be an engraving on the garland around the bell with his name. The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna also has a post horn but this one has the name “Adam Farber” engraved on the side (pictured above). There also seems to be an engraving that says “Wien” which is German for Vienna. There isn’t much information about Farber but because of the deal Hirschberg had one can assume that perhaps Farber had a similar deal with the Habsburg family, the royal family of Austria.

The horn has also earned the name “snail horn” because of its tightly coiled body. The horn is never very long which helps facilitate the ease of playing it while also riding a horse or driving a carriage. It is another horn that is typically only played with the buzzing of one's lips. Unlike other horns one cannot use their hand to change the notes of this horn simply because the bell is too small. The horn has since remained not in use but in reference all over Europe. It is the symbol for post offices around the world and will often be seen on mailboxes in different cities.

Sources:

Vetter, R. (n.d.). post horn. Post horn · Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection · Grinnell College libraries. https://omeka-s.grinnell.edu/s/MusicalInstruments/item/3324#:~:text=This%20post%20horn%20is%20an,and%20narrow%20strip%20of%20leather.