Cornet, [B-flat], A, high pitch / low pitch

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Cornet, [B-flat], A, high pitch / low pitch

Maker C. G. Conn

Date1891 ca.

Place MadeWorcester, Massachusetts, United States, North America

Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America

ModelAmerican Orchestra

Serial No.24326

SignedEngraved on bell: MADE / BY / C. G. CONN / ELKHART, IND. / AND / WORCESTER / MASS
MarkingsStamped on second valve casing: PAT. JUNE / 15. 1886
Stamped on second valve casing and all three valve stems: 24326
Stamped on valve casings and spring stems, respectively: 1, 2, 3
DescriptionSilver- and gold-plated brass, mother-of-pearl finger buttons, double loop, main tuning slide at second bow with thumb- and finger-piece, second tuning slide at third bow with push-rod-activated quick-change to A, removable leadpipe (shank), three Périnet valves (1, ½, 1½), spring inside hollow stem, alignment by three unequal lugs on spring anchor plate, pistons nickel-plated brass, single water key (first bow and quick-change), windway 3-2-1.

Silver-plated brass tuning shank for A (not original), B-flat shank lost.

This instrument was advertised as "American Model Orchestra Cornet with Instantaneous Change to A" in C. G. Conn's "Catalogue and Price List of Wonder and American Model Valve Instruments" of 1895, as follows: "This Cornet is manufactured to play either in high or low pitch, and can be changed to A or back to Bb by drawing a stop slide without moving the instrument from the lips. It is a great improvement over the rotary valve instantaneous change, and does not necessitate the removal of the Bb set piece, ... Each cornet is also supplied with the patent tuning slide which enables to adjust the tuning of the cornet with the thumb and middle finger." This cornet is "Finish I.-Engraved ..., heavily gold-plated, artistically burnished, pearl inlaid finger tips..."

The patent on the second valve refers to US patent 343,888 for a continuous windway through the valves.

The patent mentioned in Conn's 1895 catalog is US patent 442,955 from December 16, 1890, for a thumb- and finger piece at the tuning slide.
DimensionsHeight: 323 mm
Tube length: 1222 mm, 1393 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slides): 12.4 mm, 10.3 mm, 11.5 mm, 11.5 mm (0.453 inches)
Bore diameter (shank, initial, minimum): 9.4 mm, 8.6 mm
Bell diameter: 126 mm
ProvenancePurchased from Steve Dillon, Woodbridge, New Jersey, 1988.
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. 91-92, 273.

Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999

Object number06950

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