Alto saxophone, E-flat, high pitch
Maker
C. G. Conn
Date1892
Place MadeElkhart and Worcester, Indiana and Massachusetts, United States, North America
ModelWonder
Serial No.16
SignedEngraved on bell: MADE BY / C. G. CONN / ELKHART – IND. / WORCESTER, / MASSMarkingsEngraved on bottom of bell: 16
DescriptionTwo sections: neck and body with attached bell. Low keys located on left side of bell. Gold-plated, rose-gold brass. Mother-of-pearl touchpieces. Ebonite rollers. Single octave key. Bis Bb key. Side Bb key. Forked F# key. Side C key.
This is the oldest known American-made saxophone! This sax, bearing serial number 16, was made, developed, and designed for Conn between 1890 and 1892 by Ferdinand August (Gus) Buescher (1861-1937), then the "foreman of clarinet, flute, saxophone, drum, valve, and mouthpiece departments" at Conn's Elkhart, Indiana, factory. To prepare for making the first saxophone, Conn and Buescher spent a few years studying European saxophones, experimenting, creating new tooling for both high and low pitch instruments, and testing prototypes. The well-known French-born/American immigrant saxophonist, E. A. Lefebre (1834-1911), to whom many erroneously credit making of Conn's first saxophone, wrote in January 1892, that "A prominent manufacturer of brass band instruments [in Elkhart, Indiana] has asked me to superintend the works and to test the instruments. My new solo instrument, which is being made at the factory will be heavily plated with gold. I shall kiss its lips in a few days." Based upon that dating of the first saxophone, completed in early 1892, a dating of 1892 for the NMM's saxophone is reasonable. This saxophone is gold-plated and ornately engraved in the pattern of large leaves, sumptuous flowers, and scrolling covering the bell and bow sections, a common engraving pattern used during this time period.
DimensionsTotal height straight line – 591 mm (23 ¼”)
Total height curve from above from neck to bottom – 721 mm (28 3/8”)
Total height of body straight line – 521 mm (20 ½”)
Bell diameter – 125 mm (4 15/16”)
Height of bottom to bottom of bell – 253 mm (10”)
Height of bottom to top of bell – 303 mm (11 15/16”)
Length of neck straight line – 153 mm (6”)
Length of neck curve from above – 208 mm (8 3/16”)
Length of bell’s flare from inside bell – 10 mm (3/8”)
Length of bell’s flare from outside bell – 10 mm (3/8”)
Width of bottom straight line, from key guard but not including key guard –
123 mm (4 13/16”)
Width of outside of bottom bow, from ferrule to ferrule – 249 mm (9 13/16”)
ProvenancePurchased from Kermit Welch, Rolling Hills Estates, California, 2002.
Published ReferencesBanks, Margaret. "Oldest American Saxophone Acquired." _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 30, No. 2 (May 2003): 3.
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 2002
Object number10280
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