Eb Parson’s Cornet
March 30, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Classifieds
SOLD
This E Flat (Eb) Parsons Cornet is from my father’s personal collection. He is an avid antique brass wind collector and longtime member of the First Brigade Band, Watertown, WI (The 1st Brigade Band is the oldest re-created Civil War brass band; playing original music from the band books of the period on original antique instruments). This cornet was last in service in 1985 when my father formed a small band for the Centennial Celebration of West Bend, WI. The cornet has not been used since.
This cornet was made in the last quarter of the 19th Century. It is marked Charles H Parsons New York. Parsons was a Dealer, not a maker of instruments in the last part of the 19th & first part of the 20th Century.
The cornet is in original condition including the mouthpiece and is an excellent working example of the type of instrument a solo E flat cornetest would use in a typical town band of that time.
The horn is silver plated brass and in addition to being in excellent original condition, is an excellent player. It would be a fine instrument to acquire for a solo cornetest or someone interested in re-creating a town band of the 1875-1900 for reenactment purposes. It would also be a nice addition to an existing collection.
Price: $650.00 USD. Buyer pays shipping and insurance costs at actual price. If interested, contact Gordon here
I have recently acquired 2 cornets from my fathers collection.
My questions are in regards to the age and potential value to a collector if any.
The first horn is a besson and the second a h.n.white.
1) Besson is stamped on bell
chicago bore
50medals of honor
prototype
198 euston road london
c fischer sole agent u states
2nd valve with ser# 83018
a star and brevete and something else I forgot.
Is brass and is in such good shape I can’t believe it’s as old as someone told me. A Dr. at the horniman museum in London thought around 1905.
2) Don’t have the horn in front of me, but from the h.n.white family site it appears to be the famous “KING” cornet. If my assessment is right this was their first model made. Of course is silver with a rosey colored bell inside and is ser #2134.
From what the site said these were numbered from 0-4000 only.
Will provide more info when next I’m holding it this weekend.
Both horns play well and are just looking for your insight on history and potential outlets to offer them for sale?
Thank you in advance.
Mike Black