Skip to main content
Circular alto horn, E-flat, low pitch
Circular alto horn, E-flat, low pitch
Circular alto horn, E-flat, low pitch

Circular alto horn, E-flat, low pitch

Date1927-1928 ca.
Place DistributedKansas City, Missouri, United States, North America
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelLiberty / Pan American 20 E-4
Serial No.63962
SignedEngraved on bell: LIBERTY / CONN / FACTORY BRANCH / KANSAS CITY, MO.
MarkingsStamped on right side of second valve casing: 63962
Stamped on valve casings, respectively: 1, 2, 3
DescriptionBrass, mother-of-pearl finger buttons, double loop, tuning slide after fixed L-shaped leadpipe, three Périnet valves (1, ½, 1½), bottom-sprung, alignment by one key on piston (nickel-plated brass), single water key at main tuning slide, windway 1-2-3.

The difference between the circular alto horn and the mellphone is that the former is in the key of E-flat only, while the latter has other keys as well. The General Catalog “J” from November 1925 of the Pan-American Band Instrument & Case Co. in Elkhart, Indiana, offered a circular alto horn in the key of E-flat and a mellophone with several terminal crooks for a variety of keys. The Conn Kansas City Co. was a factory branch store established in 1924. The instruments sold in this store were made by The Pan American Band Instrument & Case Co. in Elkhart, Indiana.



DimensionsHeight: 423 mm
Tube length: 2043 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slides): 9.8 mm, 8.7 mm, 12.67 mm, 12.67 mm (0.499 inches)
Bell diameter: 262 mm (10 1/4 inches)
ProvenancePurchased from Richard Dundas, Rutland, Vermont, 1987.
Published ReferencesSabine Katharina Klaus, Trumpets and Other High Brass: A History Inspired by the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection. Volume 4: The Heydey of the Cornet (Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2022), pp. 230-31, 296.
Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999
Object number06931
On View
Not on view
Cornet, B-flat
Sherwood
1940 ca.
Trumpet, B-flat
Davis Shuman & Son
1960 ca.
Cornet, C, B-flat, A
J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Company
1924-1930 ca.
We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site or by closing or clicking "I agree", you agree to the use of cookies. I agree