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Alto horn in saxophone shape, E-flat (high/low pitch)
Maker: Roy Cooper
Date: 1910 ca.
Place Made:Elkhart, Indiana, United States, North America
Serial No: 11592
SignedEngraved on bell: Roy Cooper / Maker
MarkingsStamped on right side of second valve casing: UNION / M.P.B.P. / B.W.U. (within shield) / LABEL
Stamped on left side of second valve casing and valve top caps: 11592
Stamped on valve casings and caps, respectively: 1, 2, 3
Stamped on left side of second valve casing and valve top caps: 11592
Stamped on valve casings and caps, respectively: 1, 2, 3
DescriptionSilver-plated brass, mother-of-pearl finger buttons, body imitating the shape of a saxophone, detachable bell fixed by wing screw, conical main tuning slide at first bow (alternatives for E-flat or D), three Périnet valves (1, ½, 1½), bottom sprung, alignment by one key on pistons (nickel-silver-plated brass), single water key at main tuning slide, windway 1-2-3.
Main tuning slides for E-flat high and low pitch; silver lyre holder.
Deep, cup-shaped, silver-plated brass mouthpiece stamped: 24
According to a former owner, this alto horn in saxophone shape was made in the Buescher Company in Elkhart, Indiana, for a Vaudeville musician. The serial number indicates a manufacture in 1910 or 1911. This special design predates the normaphone and jazzophone, both trumpets in saxophone shape, by more than a decade. This experimental instrument was not signed by the Buescher Company but by one of the firm's workers, Roy Cooper, who was likely the person charged with making it.
Main tuning slides for E-flat high and low pitch; silver lyre holder.
Deep, cup-shaped, silver-plated brass mouthpiece stamped: 24
According to a former owner, this alto horn in saxophone shape was made in the Buescher Company in Elkhart, Indiana, for a Vaudeville musician. The serial number indicates a manufacture in 1910 or 1911. This special design predates the normaphone and jazzophone, both trumpets in saxophone shape, by more than a decade. This experimental instrument was not signed by the Buescher Company but by one of the firm's workers, Roy Cooper, who was likely the person charged with making it.
DimensionsHeight: 526 mm
Tube length: 2053 mm/2148 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slides): 11.1 mm, 9.6 mm, 13.5-14.2 mm, 12.27 (0.483 inches)
Bell diameter: 203 mm (8 inches)
Tube length: 2053 mm/2148 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slide, valve slides): 11.1 mm, 9.6 mm, 13.5-14.2 mm, 12.27 (0.483 inches)
Bell diameter: 203 mm (8 inches)
ProvenancePurchased in 1998 from Steve Dillon, Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Terms
Credit Line: Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999
Not on view
Object number: 07315