Images(5)

Uniform, Organizational

Object number2016.90.1 a,b

Manufacturer Joseph Horne Company (1849 - 1994)

Date1947

OriginPittsburgh, PA

MediumWool; Fabric; Metal; Plastic

Credit LineGift of James Capone

DescriptionMarching band uniform tailcoat.DimensionsHeight x Width (a - width at shoulders): 34.625 × 17 in. (87.9 × 43.2 cm)
Height x Diameter (b): 0.813 × 0.688 in. (2.1 × 1.7 cm)
InscriptionsProper left shoulder has black patch with red embroidered text at top "PITTSBURGH" and botton "PENNA".
MarksProper left shoulder has black patch with red embroidered text at top "PITTSBURGH" and botton "PENNA".
Historical NotesPittsburgh Rockets Senior Drum and Bugle Corp jacket. The jacket belonged to Corp member Frank Ciecerto and was made by the Joseph Horne Company. These jackets were only used for a few years because they were too hot to wear when marching. The Pittsburgh Rockets were one of many drum and bugle corps in the Pittsburgh region in the mid-20th century. The Homewood American Legion Post 351 sponsored and funded the Rockets. The donor’s grandfather, Florindo “Pete” Capone, a member of the Homewood American Legion helped raise the money to start the Corp. His sons Carmen, Joseph (donor’s father), and Valentino were all members of the Corp. It was organized in 1947, first marched in 1948, and all members were veterans of WWII. Many members of the Corp were Italian as Homewood was a primarily Italian neighborhood in th late 1940s. As the neighborhood changed, the Corp also became more diverse. The donor’s father Joseph Capone taught business at Westinghouse High School and recruited some of his students to march. The Corp was active until 1973. The last few years the Corp separated from the Legion and was a bit nomadic until there final disbanding.

Previous owner Frank Ciecerto

Related institution Pittsburgh Rockets Drum and Bugle Corps

Related institution Homewood American Legion Post 351

Related person Florindo Capone

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