Bassoon, C
Maker
J. & H. Meacham
Date1811-1827 ca.
Place MadeAlbany, New York, United States, North America
Serial No.none
SignedStamped on butt and bell joints: J. & H. MEACHAM / ALBANYMarkings3 (or 4) deepened points (…) at the lange tenon of the long joint
DescriptionDark-stained maple in 4 sections: wing, butt, long, and bell joints. Brass ferrules and keywork. 6 keys with flat, round covers, mounted in saddles. Flat key springs attached to keys.
The wing and long joint likely do not belong to the other joints because of the imperfect fit and the lack of stamps. This instrument exhibits a somewhat different style from other Meacham bassoons, which arouses the suspicion that it may not have been made in the United States.
Brothers John Meacham Jr. (1785-1844) and Horace Meacham (1789-1861) were among the first American wind instrument makers. They served an apprenticeship with George Catlin, who was working in Hartford, Connecticut, but very few instruments survive from their Hartford period. In either 1810 or 1811, John moved to Albany, and was soon followed by Horace.
DimensionsHeight: 1220 mm
Wing joint: 439 mm
Butt joint: 425 mm
Long joint: 482 mm
Bell: 313 mm
(excluding tenons)
ProvenancePurchased from Kurt Stein, Springfield, Pennsylvania, 1992.
Published References“International Research Efforts Continue.” _The Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 21, no. 1 (October 1993): 4.
Young, Phillip T. _4,900 Historical Woodwind Instruments_. London: Tony Bingham, 1993. (p. 156)
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Mildred Saterlie, 1992
Object number05319
On View
Not on view
