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Conn Booster Trumpet Model Cornet |
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C. G. Conn Co. Length = 18.25 " When I saw what I thought was an early Conn trumpet for sale marked with "L" for a large bore, I decided to take a chance on it despite the poor photos and a complete lack of any analysis of its condition. When I received it, I found that it actually had a receiver for a cornet mouthpiece, even though it looked like a trumpet. [In the below photo, I have added a first slide saddle and pinky ring to make this more playable.]
In doing some research, I found that this was a quite rare Booster cornet that must have been developed around 1912 when this example was made. The only advertising that I was able to find was from the March 1914 edition of "Musical Truth".
The same issue of "Musical Truth" had this letter from a buyer. He had this for a few months and lived in South Africa so he would have bought this in 1913 or earlier.
Here are some photos as I purchased it. In this photo I have already added a Conn mute from my collection.
The "Wm Brady" name is on both the banner and the floor of the case. This came from Wichita, Kansas but the seller never responded to my question of its history. No surprise considering how badly this was photographed and packed. I did find a William J. Brady born in Texas in 1875 and living in Wichita in the 1930s and 40s. He worked as a gas line fitter and superintendent then moved back to Dallas by his death in 1944. It's possible he sold this while living in Wichita.
All apart and ready for cleaning. This has high and low pitch slide sets.
The worn valves gave me an excuse to learn copper and nickel plating.
Now the nickel plating. I still have a lot to learn here.
The restored handle.
Mild restoration was done to the case.
All back together and playing again!
I added this vintage slide saddle to make it more playable.
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