{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O86996"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O86996/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AK9293/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AK9293/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AK9293","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O86996","accessionNumber":"S.131:51-2002","objectType":"Caricature","titles":[{"title":"Larry Adler playing the harmonica","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This caricature shows Larry Adler (1914-2001) in <i>Tune Inn</i>, a variety programme with Tommy Trinder (1909-1989), at the Oxford New Theatre in April 1937.  It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years.  Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn't needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.\r\n\r\nLarry Adler was the American virtuoso harmonica player and composer who brought the harmonica to the status of a classical instrument. He grew up in Baltimore and began playing in a harmonica band aged twelve.  When he was thirteen he won a contest playing Beethoven's <i>Minuet in C</i> on the harmonica.  He began his solo career playing in road shows and vaudeville, and had his first recording job in 1930.  Several composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and Malcolm Arnold wrote orchestral pieces around Larry Adler's harmonica playing. He composed the score for the film <i>Genevieve</i> in 1953, receiving an Oscar in 1954 for the best score. He went on playing and recording into his eighties, and in 1994 recorded harmonica solos for the album <i>The Glory of Gershwin</i>.","physicalDescription":"Pencil caricature of Larry Adler playing the harmonica, New Theatre Oxford, 13 April 1937. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Sommerlad, Gilbert","id":"A5980"},"association":{"text":"artist","id":"AAT25103"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"pencil","id":"x30347"},{"text":"paper","id":"x30308"}],"techniques":[{"text":"drawn","id":"x30545"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Pencil on paper","categories":[{"text":"Drawings","id":"THES48966"},{"text":"Caricatures & Cartoons","id":"THES48983"},{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2006AK9293"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"008","id":"THES356599"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"caricatures","id":"AAT15634"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Oxford","id":"x31203"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"13 April 1937","earliest":"1937-04-13","latest":"1937-04-13"},"association":{"text":"dated","id":"AAT54714"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Michael Sommerlad","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"20.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"11","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"BOLERO - LARRY ADLER. OXFORD. APR.13/37","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Pencil inscription by Gilbert Sommerlad."},{"content":"Larry Adler","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Pen and ink inscription by Larry Adler"}],"objectHistory":"Gilbert Sommerlad was a member of the resident orchestra at the New Theatre, Oxford when he drew this caricature.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Larry Adler playing the harmonica in <i>Tune Inn</i>, New Theatre Oxford, dated 13 April 1937","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Adler, Larry","id":"N3310"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.131:51-2002"],"accessionNumberNum":"131","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2002,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-24","recordCreationDate":"2003-12-10","availableToBook":true}}