A superb photograph, showing members of a mandolin orchestra (consisting primarily of instruments from the mandolin family of instruments, such as the mandolin, mandola, mandocello and mandobass or mandolone), pictured on 9th August 1902 (when Mandolin orchestras were at the height of their popularity) celebrating the Coronation of king Edward VII. Mandolin orchestras were very popular in the early 20th Century and every city and town and many schools had one. It shows the importance of music as a creative pursuit for the people and communities of this era, and the strength of this should not be underestimated. A considerable body of music was created, much of which was simple or popular marches and foxtrots that were easy and fun to play.