Alto saxophone, E-flat
Maker
H. & A. Selmer, Inc.
Date1941
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelPadless No. 1132
Serial No.29218
SignedEngraved on bell: [star] [star] U [star] [star] / Selmer / [star] [star] S [star] [star] (all in circular shape) / REG.U.S.PAT.OFF. / H. & A. SELMER INC. / ELKHART, INDIANA / U.S.PAT.2,227,230MarkingsSignature surrounded by engraved leafy scroll and flowers that cover almost entire bell.
Distinctive “S” shaped brace between body and bell.
DescriptionTwo sections: neck and body with attached bell. Split bell keys: low B and B-flat keys on left side of bell, low C-sharp key on right side of bell. Lacquered brass. Mother-of-pearl touchpieces. Hard black rubber rollers. Single octave key. Bis Bb key. Side Bb key. Forked F# key. Side C key. Alternate high F key. “Padless” technology: instead of traditional pads, the toneholes have an “O” ring that according to advertising consisted of three layers, the center layer being waterproof, containing no felt, and outward appearance light brown leather. The “pad” is a flat, brass disk made to seal over the “O” ring of the tonehole. Very rare model. Distinctive “S” shaped brace between body and bell.
Patents: US 2,227,230 Dec. 31, 1940: “padless” technology.
Selmer’s “padless” saxophone model was short lived and therefore rare. Serial number books seem to indicate the first ones were shipped in 1939 and the last ones in 1942. The patent is from the end of 1940. World War II interrupted production and very few entries for any musical instruments are listed for 1943, and none for any musical instruments 1944-1946. The padless saxophone was made in alto and tenor models only, no soprano or baritone models.
This particular saxophone was used by Verne C. Rice, who played it in many big bands along the Rocky Mountain Front Range in the 1940s, and then Rice’s own big band in the mid-1950s and on into retirement. Rice chose this padless saxophone after losing a lung to tuberculosis, because it could be heard over brass instruments in the days before amplification became popular.
DimensionsTotal height straight line to tallest point on neck: 650 mm (25 5/8”)
Total width straight line from end of neck to end of bell: 330 mm (13”)
Total depth straight line (widest part of bell): 116.3 mm (4.582”)
Approximate total length from end of neck to end of bell following curvature, measured approximately in middle of bore: 1042 mm (41”)
Bore diameter at top of neck: 12.4 mm (.491”)
Bore diameter at bottom of neck: 23.0 mm (.908”)
ProvenancePreviously owned and played by Verne C. Rice, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Purchased from Larry Rice, 2014.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Fund, 2014
Object number14830
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