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Soprano cornet, E-flat

Maker F. Besson

Date1870

Place MadeLondon, England, Europe

Modelsoprano anglais

Serial No.11501

SignedStamped on bell: 25 / OF / HONOUR / FR (monogram) / F. BESSON / BREVETÉE / 198. EUSTON ROAD / LONDON

MarkingsStamped on left of second valve casing: 9 / F BESSON / [five-point-star] / BREVETEE / 11501 / P / o
Stamped on telescopic tuning slide: 5
Stamped on valve casings, stems, top and bottom valve caps, respectively: 10, 11, 12
DescriptionSilver-plated brass, single loop, telescopic tuning slide with ligature screw at leadpipe, three Périnet valves (1, ½, 1½), top-sprung, spring outside stem, alignment by one key on nickel-plated pistons, single water key at first bow, windway 3-2-1.

The female form of "Brevetée" and the monogram "FR" refer to Florentine Besson, née Ridoux, Gustave Besson's wife, under whose name the firm was operating from 1867. According to the serial number, this cornet was made no later than November 24, 1870. The Besson stock books at the Horniman Museum in London indicate that it was sold on April 6, 1871, to J. Shaw, an otherwise unidentified individual. Besson's London factory regularly had representatives at brass band contests, taking orders or selling instruments directly to band leaders and individual players.
DimensionsHeight: 312 mm
Tube length: 955 mm, 998 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, valve slides): 10.8 mm, 10.4 mm, 11.7 mm
Bore diameter (tuning slide, initial, minimum): 9.6 mm, 8.6 mm
Bell diameter: 118 mm
ProvenancePurchased from David Miles, London, England, 1983.
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. 165-66, 286.

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

Object number06812

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