Cornet, C, Bb, A, high pitch / low pitch
Maker
C. G. Conn
Date1884 ca.
Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelUltimatum Vocal model
Serial No.8949
SignedSignature on bell surrounded by engraving motifs: C. G. CONN / MAKER / ELKHART / I N D [figure eight design with 'N' in the middle]MarkingsStamped inside the piston valves: 8949
DescriptionSilver- and gold-plated brass, foil-backed glass “jewels” at knobs, water-key pivots, mouthpiece receiver and mouthpiece throat, mother-of-pearl finger buttons. Three piston valves, top-sprung, removable leadpipe (shank), leadpipe goes into first valve, main tuning slide between second and third valve, two water keys (on leadpipe and main tuning slide), connecting tubing between first and third valve (windway is 1-3-2), bell tube comes out of second valve, shepherd's crook bell bow.
Original gold-plated and 'jewelled' Levy model mouthpiece by Conn.
The Ultimatum model is based on a variation of U.S. patent no. 261,082 from July 11, 1882. The most striking feature of the Ultimatum model is the bent tubing that connects the first and third valves, bypassing the second valve.
This "jewelled" cornet is also lavishly engraved, featuring two town scenes on the bell flare, in each side of the signature. One of the scenes depicts houses, a Christian church, trees, distant mountains, and a bridge over a river. The other depicts a river (or sea/bay?) side with a few houses, trees, and distant mountains. The remainder of the engraving (non-symmetrical) includes flowers, leaves, swirls, spirals, and geometric designs. The engraving is attributed to James H. Gardner, Conn's first master engraver.
DimensionsOverall length: 307 mm
Bell diameter: 118 mm
ProvenancePurchased from Charles B. Olson, Anoka, Minnesota.
Prior to acquisition by the NMM, the cornet had been on loan from Olson to the Streitwieser Trumpet Museum, Pottstown, PA, for four years.
Published ReferencesBanks, Margaret Downie. “From the Museum's Treasure Chest.” _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 30, No. 1 (February 2003): 3.
Banks, Margaret Downie. “On the Cutting Edge: The Rich Legacy of C. G. Conn's Brass Instrument Engravers.” _The Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 24, No. 1 (October 1996): 1-2.
Banks, Margaret Downie. _Elkhart's Brass Roots_. Vermillion: Shrine to Music Museum, 1994 (pp. 20-21)
Banks, Margaret Downie. “1989 Acquisitions at USD Music Museum.” _Newsletter of the American Musical Instrument Society_ 19, No. 1 (February 1990): 12.
Banks, Margaret Downie. “All that Glitters…” _Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 17, No. 1 (October 1989): 4.
Klaus, Sabine Katharina. _Trumpets and Other High Brass: A History Inspired by the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection. Volume 4: The Heyday of the Cornet_. Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2022 (p. 87)
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Margaret and Ray T. DeVilbiss, 1989
Object number04572
On View
On view
1925 ca.
