Cornopean, B-flat, A, A-flat, G, F
Maker
John August Köhler
Date1850 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
Serial No.1178
SignedEngraved on bell: Mc. FARLANE'S IMPROVED / Cornopean / 1178. / Köhler Maker, Henrietta St. Covent Garden LondonMarkingsEngraved on B-flat Shank: Bb
Engraved on A Shank: A
Engraved on A-flat Crook: Ab
Engraved on G Crook: G
Engraved on F Crook: F
The valve slides are marked and engraved for different slide extensions: A[natural sign], Ab, G, F, E[natural sign]
DescriptionBrass, German silver, tuning slide at second bow, three Stölzel valves (1, ½, 1½), spring in barrel, clapper key for left hand.
Two tuning shanks for B-flat and A, two tuning bits, and three crooks for A-flat, G and F. Two mouthpieces, one of silver (probably original), the other of German-silver (not original); original oil container. Original embossed leather-covered case with red velvet interior and compartments for every accessory.
A crook or coupler for E appears to be missing, because the markings at the valve slides suggest that this key was formerly present.
George Macfarlane's involvement in the invention of the clapper key remains conjectural; it has been stated incorrectly that the clapper key is described in French patent no. 2627, issued to Macfarlane on December 10, 1845. It thus appears that the inscription Mc. FARLANE'S IMPROVED might be an advertising vehicle employed by the Köhler firm, similar to the inscription HARPER'S IMPROVED.
DimensionsHeight: 274 mm
Tube length: 1115 mm, 1169 mm, 1268 mm, 1318 mm, 1435 mm, 1644 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slide): 11.8 mm, 11.3 mm, 11.4 mm, 11.3 mm
Bore diameter shanks and crooks (range initial, minimum): 9.2–9 mm, 8.9–8.6 mm
Bore tuning bits (initial, minimum): 9 mm, 7.5 mm
Keyhole poition (from bell end): 274 mm
Keyhole diameter: 11 mm
Bell diameter: 120 mm
ProvenancePurchased in 1998 from Tony Bingham, London, England.
Published ReferencesSabine K. Klaus. “Henry Courtenay (1820-1881) of Alton: his life, his Cornopean, and further thoughts on the ‘Clapper Shake Key’,” The Galpin Society Journal, LIX (May 2006), p. 250.
Sabine Katharina Klaus, Trumpets and Other High Brass: A History Inspired by the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection. Volume 3: Valves Evolve (Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2017), pp. 44, 46, 50-51, 53-55, 269, 280, 283, 297.
Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999
Object number07333
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