Antique Sousaphone Stolen in Houston

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Message from the owner of a Stolen Antique Sousaphone

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sourced by katrina

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Emile J. Francis with his Cerveny Sousaphone

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uploaded by ejfrancis

This past Tuesday, a midnight blue Chrystler Voyager minivan with Louisiana Plates: NDC 880, was stolen in the Houston area between 8:00AM and 3:00PM. The van was parked in the 3500 block of Airport Blvd. near a Red Cross distribution center. In the back of the van was a very old, solid brass Cerveny sousaphone belonging to Emile J. Francis of New Orleans, LA.

While the van was being driven by Mr. Emile Francis, it belongs to his brother Mr. Edward Francis of Kenner, LA. Mr. (Emile) Francis noticed that the van was missing around or about 3:00PM when he, after having stood in line for seven hours at the Red Cross, returned to the spot he had parked the van only to discover that it was gone. After calling the Houston PD towline 3 times over the next hour with no positive results, Mr. Francis reported the van stolen.

The instrument in the back of the van is not only a valued antique, but represents part of Mr. (Emile) Francis' livelihood. The instrument has one very unique feature, 4 rotary (spinning) valves, which make it very easy to spot. All modern sousaphones have three piston-type valves. There is a very good picture of the horn on Mr. Francis' web site: www.geocities.com/sir_knight_80. At the time of the theft, the horn was in a soft, black sousaphone case. This instrument is also the only of Mr. Francis' instruments which he managed to save from Katrina.

There is a very strong possibility that whoever stole the van will try to sell the sousaphone. Mr. Francis is asking anyone who spots the instrument to contact your local police department & him at (504) 220-5497, his cell phone.