Images(8)

Trumpet, C

Maker Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy

Date1916 ca.

Place MadeParis, France, Europe

Serial No.10595

SignedStamped on bell: LEGION D[’]HONNEUR / J.T.L. / HORS CONCOURS / PARIS / 1878 – 1889 – 1900 / PARIS / OR [medal with laurel] / LONDRES / QTÉ SUPRE / JÉRÔME / THIBOUVILLE – LAMY / PARIS / 68. Rue Réaumur / FOURNR DU CONSERVATOIRE NATAL / DE MUSIQUE DE PARIS / ET DE L’ARMMEE / BREVETÉ / s.g.d.g. / SYST ME MERRI FRANQUIN / Professeur au Conservatoire
MarkingsStamped on second valve casing: J.T.L. / QTÉ EXTRA
Stamped on second valve casing: 10595
Stamped on receiver ferrule: unidentified sign, probably ligature with letter Q [qualité extra]
Stamped on valve casings and stems, respectively: 10, 11, 12
Stamped on valve casings: 4 (fifth valve) and 5 (fourth valve) [sic]
DescriptionSilver-plated brass, single loop, main tuning slide at first bow, five Périnet valves (normal three-valve-cluster and two additional valves placed horizontally): three-valve-cluster as usual (1, ½, 1½), fourth valve at main tuning slide ascends a whole tone, fifth valve lowers pitch either a minor or a major third, depending on the position of a trigger-like rod on two posts, bottom-sprung, alignment by one key on pistons, single water keys at main tuning slide and fifth-valve slide, windway 4-5-3-2-1.

Silver mouthpiece, stamped: THIBOUVILLE-LAM / 68 r Reamur / PARIS // 1

After failed attempts with a four-valve trumpet, the French trumpet teacher Merri Franquin (1848-1934) constructed an instrument with five valves, in collaboration with Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy. This design was awarded French Patent no. 521.761 on January 17, 1916. The present trumpet is based on this patent. The Système Merri Franquin could be played like a normal trumpet (using only the regular three valves), or by using the two additional valves, allowing a chromatic descent down to c (instead of being limited to f-sharp). Additionally, this solved a number of intonation problems. The extension to c was intended to make parts playable that were written for the baroque natural trumpet an octave lower than the 4-foot C trumpet.
DimensionsHeight: 413 mm
Tube length: 1195 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slides): 11 mm, 8.1 mm, 10.5-11.2 mm, 11.2 mm
Bell diameter: 117 mm
ProvenancePurchased in 1997 from Vichy, Lyon, France, through Tony Bingham, London, England.
Published ReferencesVichy Sales Catalog from November 28-29, 1997, cover picture and description no. 544.

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

Object number07306

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