Soprano saxophone, high pitch
Makerby
F. Besson & Co.
Date1895<
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
ModelPrototype Class A
Serial No.570
SignedStamped on bell: CLASS / A / 50 MEDALS OF HONOUR (in banners) / FB (monogram) / Prototype / BESSON & CO. / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON / [five-pointed star] / 570DescriptionNumber and types of sections: Two sections: Body with attached neck and bellNeck type: straight, attached
Location of keys on bell from player’s perspective: Front side of bell
Material: brass
Lacquer: none
Range: (Written range) Bb3 – Eb6
Fingering System:
High F# key: none
Bis Bb key: yes
Side Bb key: yes
Forked F# key: none-
Side C key: yes
Rollers: yes, black synthetic, on low C/Eb, and on low C#/low B
Octave touchpiece(s): two
Alternate high F key: none
Touchpiece material: brass
Type of key mount:
Some rods and posts soldered on directly, other rods and posts on base plates soldered on
Type of thumbrest: brass, slightly tilted
Lyre holder: yes
Neckstrap attachment: none
Water key: none
Special items (G# trill key, split Eb key, etc.) and location: none
Patents: noneDimensionsTotal height – 613 mm (24 1/8”)
Bell diameter – 81 mm (3 1/8”)
Length of bell’s flare from inside bell – 10 mm (7/16”)
Length of bell’s flare from outside bell – 6 mm (¼”)
Circumference at top – 53 mm (2 1/16”)
Circumference just over bell – 163 mm (6 3/8”)
Neck height curved from above (curved neck – if separate) – n/a because neck attached
Length of neck (straight – if separate) – neck attachedProvenancePreviously a part of the Cecil B. Leeson Collection, Muncie, Indiana.
Credit LineTransfer from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 1994
Object number05760
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