Clarinet, A
ALTERNATE NAME(S)
- Double-wall clarinet
Maker
C. G. Conn
Date1890 ca.
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelMetal Wonder Clarinet
Serial No.354
SignedEngraved on bell: A / MADE BY / C.G.CONN / ELKHART, / IND. (entire signature, except "A", at a diagonal rising from left to right and surrounded by flowers and foliage)MarkingsSerial number at bottom of bottom joint: 354
Description4 sections: barrel, top joint, bottom joint, bell. "Albert" system; 13 touchpieces; 2 rings (1 brille); silver-plated metal body and ferrules; gold-plated keys and rings; double-wall construction; wrap-around register key; rollers for little finger keys; patent C-sharp.
DimensionsOverall length (from tip of mouthpiece to bottom of bell): 674 mm
Overall length (from top of barrel to bottom of bell): 603.5 mm
Barrel: 65.7 mm
Upper joint: 195 mm
Bottom joint: 244 mm
Bell: 101.1 mm
Bore at top of top joint: 15 mm
Bore at bottom of top joint: 15 mm
Bore at bottom of bottom joint: 21.8 mm
ProvenanceThis clarinet, along with NMM 14508, originally belonged to the donor's grandfather, George C. Schmidt (b. Yarmouthport, Massachusetts, 6 September 1888-1946), one of three sons born to parents who immigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland. As a teenager, Schmidt played clarinet in the Yarmouth Brass Band. The family moved to Boston before Schmidt finished high school in order to give the three boys more career opportunities. Schmidt graduated from high school in Milton, Massachusetts, went to work for Stone and Webster—a Boston-based engineering firm—and married in 1909 or 1910. The donor's mother recalled that Schmidt never joined another band, but he played for the family every Saturday evening.
Published ReferencesBanks, Margaret Downie. "C. G. Conn's Double-Wall Wonder Clarinets." _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 37, no. 3 (December 2010): 3.
Credit LineGift of Dorothy Lynde, 2010
Object number14507
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