Single horn, F, high pitch
Alternate name(s)
- French horn
Maker
Carl Geyer
Distributor
Richard Wunderlich
Date1904-1907 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
Serial No.none
SignedEngraved on the bell: R. Wunderlich / Maker / ChicagoMarkingsStamped on the back of the touchpieces and the valve-levers stem: 1
DescriptionBrass with nickel-silver trimmings. Lacquered finish. Three rotary valves with string linkages. Long leadpipe that serves as 1st and 2nd bows, and enters on first valve. Amado style water-key on leadpipe (added after 1976). Single-coiled, circular-wrap main tuning slide. Visible gusset seam on bell with overlapping tabs.
This horn was made by German-born and -trained Carl Geyer, who immigrated to the US in 1904, making customized horns to order in Chicago. Geyer first worked for Chicago instrument dealer Richard Wunderlich. After 1915, Geyer worked independently. Geyer has been credited with introducing the rotary valve to horns in the US, and his work influenced and set standards for modern horn crafting.
According to the donor, this was the first horn Geyer made after joining the Wunderlich firm in 1904. He also noted that the type of valve was not used after 1907 and that the bell is a Schmidt bell. All Geyer horns were custom- and hand-made, so there can be great inconsistency from one instrument to another. One of Geyer’s manufacture characteristics was to make the leadpipe longer, so that the wind could go farther before encountering any sharp bend.
DimensionsBell diameter: 307 mm / 12 in
Total sounding length: 3650.3 mm (12-foot F)
ProvenanceRichard L. Nelson, based in Chicago, IL, acquired this instrument in 1988.
Credit LineGift of Richard L. Nelson, 1996
Object number05968
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