C-melody tenor saxophone, low pitch
Maker
Frank Holton & Company
Distributor
Platt Music Company
Date1922
Place MadeElkhorn, Wisconsin, United States, North America
Place DistributedLos Angeles, California, United States, North America
Serial No.10379
SignedEngraved on bell: JACKIE COOGAN (arched) / [striped triangle] / MADE BY / Frank Holton & Co. / ELKHORN / WIS.MarkingsStamped on lower back of body: C / 10379 / LP
Hand-scribed inside neck's tenon: 10379
DescriptionTwo sections: curved neck and body with attached bell. Satin gold-plated brass body with burnished gold-plated brass accents, keywork and guards. Mother-of-pearl touchpieces and rollers. Keywork with 23 touchpieces. Split bell keys: low B on right side; low B-flat on left; low C-sharp at the lower bow, right side. Single octave key. Bis B-flat key. Forked F-sharp key. Side B-flat and C keys. Alternate G-sharp trill, and C-D trill keys for right hand ("Holton Master Keys"). Split E-flat key. Off-set G-sharp in plateau keys. Name dedication "Jackie Coogan" engraved on bell.
This saxophone belonged to John Leslie (Jackie) Coogan (1914–1984), an American actor and comedian who began his film career as a child actor in silent films of the 1920s. Jackie Coogan first gained fame starring with Charlie Chaplin in "The Kid" (1921), and was later known as Uncle Fester on the television series "The Addams Family" in the 1960s. Coogan bought the instrument from the national retailer store---and local distributor of Holton band instruments---Platt Music Company, located in Los Angeles, CA. It is known that the Coogan family were neighbors of businessman and philanthropist Benjamin Platt (1882–1960), and the Platt and Coogan boys were playmates. After receiving the Holton saxophone from Platt, Coogan wrote a "thank you" note that was later used in an unique advertisement campaign promoting Holton saxophones.
Dimensions- Footprint (HxWxD): 675 x 130 x 375mm
- Total neck to bottom height: 675mm
- Bell diameter: 125mm
- Bore at neck tenon: 22.5mm
- Initial bore at neck receiver: 12mm
- Sounding length: 1225mm
- neck (excludes tenon): 175mm
- body (with lower ferrule): 540mm
- lower bow: 162mm
- bell ring ferrule: 13mm
- bell tube: 270mm
ProvenanceThis instrument belonged to American actor and comedian John Leslie (Jackie) Coogan (1914–1984).
Credit LineGift of Lynn and Steve Dillon, 2024
Object number15870
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