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Cornet, B-flat, A, low pitch

Maker C. G. Conn, Ltd.

Date1921-1922

Place MadeElkhart, Indiana, United States, North America

ModelVictor New Wonder

Serial No.178586

SignedEngraved on bell: VICTOR NEW WONDER / MADE / BY / C. G. CONN Ltd. / ELKHART / IND.
MarkingsStamped on second valve casing: [six-point-star] / 178586 / PATENTED
Stamped on valve stems and one of the quick-change mechanism bars: 178586
Stamped on main tuning slide: 0
Stamped on valve casings and stems, respectively: 1, 2, 3
DescriptionSilver- and gold-plated brass, bell engraved with mythological Leda and the swan, as well as a separate kewpie, mother-of-pearl finger buttons, single loop, main tuning slide with micro-tuning mechanism (perpendicular to main tubing), quick-change to A (first bow) with push-rod and automated valve-slide tuning mechanism, fixed leadpipe, three Périnet valves (1, ½, 1½), top-sprung, spring inside hollow stem, alignment by T-shaped and flat lug on spring anchor plate, nickel-silver pistons, single water keys (first bow, third-valve slide), windway 3-2-1.

Gold-plated straight mute stamped “C. G. CONN / MAKER”; gold-plated lyre.

The patent stamp refers to US Patent 1,240,177, filed in 1914 by C. G. Conn, and granted September 18, 1917, for a micro-tuning mechanism, sometimes referred to as the “opera glass tuning device,” due to the similarity of the small wheel in both mechanisms. The second mechanical device found in this cornet consists of a combination of bars connected with the quick-change to A. Operating the quick-change push-rod automatically moves the valve slides to a pre-set length appropriate for the key of A. This construction corresponds with U.S. Patent 828,273, filed on January 8, 1806, by C. G. Conn, and patented on August 7 of the same year.

The six-pointed star stamped on the second valve casing indicates that this cornet was a custom order.
DimensionsHeight: 424 mm
Tube length: 1337 mm (B-flat), 1435 mm (A)
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, tuning slides, valve slides): 9.8 mm, 8.8 mm, 12.2 mm, 12.2 mm (0.482 inches)
Bell diameter: 116 mm
ProvenancePurchased from C. G. Conn on October 4, 1920, for $150 (Inv. No. 6823) by Harold Speer, Jersey City, New Jersey. Apparently, this cornet was the second Mr. Speer had received from the company, after returning the first because of its damaged condition. Purchased in 1997 from Steve Dillon, Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Published ReferencesSabine Katharina Klaus, Trumpets and Other High Brass: A History Inspired by the Joe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection. Volume 4: The Heydey of the Cornet (Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2022), pp. 105-6, 145, 280.

Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 1999

Object number07267

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