Tenor saxophone, B-flat
Maker
Henri Selmer
Distributor
H. & A. Selmer, Inc.
Date1966
Place MadeParis, France, Europe
Place DistributedElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
ModelMARK VI
Serial No.132132
SignedEngraved on the bell: HENRI / SELMER / PARIS [laurel wreath] / Selmer / MADE IN FRANCE / ®MarkingsStamped on bottom back of body: MADE IN FRANCE / BREV. SGDG. 920653 / US. PAT. 2940640 / US. PAT. 2710558 / US. PAT. 2846917 / M 132132Emblem engraved on neck: H. SELMER / PARIS (surrounding a grid-textured circle)
Engraved on neck key: S (insignia on blue lacquer background)
Engraved on clothes guard: HSCo (inside circle)
Stamped on bell ring brace end plate: 32 / 132
Hand-scribed on bottom of octave key touchpiece, side B-flat touchpiece, plateau B-flat touchpiece: 132
Stamped on bottom of side E key touchpiece: U
Stamped on bottom of C and E-flat touchpieces: GDescriptionTwo sections: curved neck and body with attached bell. Clear lacquered brass body, keywork and guards. Mother-of-pearl touchpieces. Black plastic rollers. Keywork with 22 touchpieces. All bell keys on right side (balanced action). Offset right-hand/left-hand keywork (super action). Single octave key (patented Selmer neck key). Alternate/Front high F key. Bis B-flat key. Forked F-sharp key. Side B-flat and C keys. G-sharp, G adjustment bar with screws in the top.
French patent No. 920,653 (1947): collar/ring assembly
US. PAT. 2,490,640 (December 6, 1949): US version of French patent for "Pipe Joint" (collar assembly)
US. PAT. 2,710,558 (June 14, 1955): linkage for B-flat, C-sharp key cluster
US. PAT. 2,846,917 (August 12, 1958): neck key for saxophones
The legendary Selmer "Mark VI" drew its name from its position as sixth model since the production of the first Selmer saxophones in 1922. Considered to be the first truly modern saxophone, it incorporated significant improvements from its predecessors (the Balanced and Super Action models) that greatly improved the saxophone intonation and ergonomics. Since its release in 1954, it has been played and favored by saxophone greats like Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, and John Coltrane.
Even though this example is a six-number serial figure, it is still from an interesting period that precedes any “Mark VI” markings or stamps. Moreover, it bears engraving on both the bell and bow, as well as wavy knurls/friezes on the rings, which are indicative of French-assembled instruments. DimensionsFootprint (HxWxD): 815 x 153 x 410mm
Total neck to bottom height: 815mm
Bell diameter: 153mm
Bore at neck tenon: 25.6mm
Initial bore at neck receiver: 12.5mm
Sounding length: 1391mm
- neck (excludes tenon): 235mm
- body (with lower ring): 652mm
- lower bow: 200mm
- bell ring ferrule: 14mm
- bell tube: 290mm
ProvenanceThe instrument was purchased by and kept in the Ugaki family.
Credit LineGift of Janice R. Ugaki, 2025
Object number15887
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