Vienna Valve bell front alto
July 4, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Classifieds
Very early example of a Vienna Valve bell front alto horn with one of the earliest examples of the drive mechanism sometimes called “klinker drucken” in German. Experimentation with various valve drive mechanisms was common at this period of early development both in the United States and Europe. In the U.S. ,Graves marketed the only known successful horn
This horn was made in Germany or Austria circa 1830-1840 and still plays quite well for an instrument that is almost 180 years old. Last played by Robert Medley in the 1st Brigade Band in the late 1980s when the horn was 150 years old. This horn would make an interesting and important addition to any collection.
Now accepting serious offers on this horn. Contact us here
Stoelze Valved Corneopian
July 4, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Classifieds
A very important find at an auction in Fond du Lac Wisconsin. This Stoelzel Valve Corneopean was purchased in the early 1970s. Most interesting is that it included ALL of the crooks, the lyre, the original tarred coffin case, and a bubble glass painting of the musician who played this horn. Tarred instrument cases were common during the period this horn was made as it offered protection from rain .
The horn was made in Ireland in the 1850s (Irish Harp engraving) and was imported to the United States in the 1850s by John Howard Foote. The horn was completely restored and is in beautiful playing condition. It will be a significant addition to any collection, private or museum.
All crooks, the case, and the painting are included in the sale of this horn.
Accepting serious offers. Get a hold of us on our contact page, here.
Vintage Band Music Festival 2010, Northfield Minnesota
June 16, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Bands, Miscellaneous
5 bands give over 50 concert in four days. Held in conjunction with the Historic Brass Society’s Early Brass Festival. http://wwwvintagebandfestival.org
This international music event will be held in Northfield, the historic river town known for its art, antiques, pubs, and restaurants.
The festival includes more than 15 European and American bands with over 40 outdoor concerts in four days. Each day begins with noon concerts in several city parks, with continuous music into the night.
The Vintage Band Music Festival ia a part of a multi-week arts festival in Northfield called ArtSwirl 2010 which also featured graphic arts, dance, theater and music. The 2010 Vintage Band Festival will be held in conjunction with the Historic Brass Society’s Early Brass Festival.
• Admission to almost all Vintage Band Festival events was officially free, but attendees made donations to help defray our expenses. Some events, because of limited space, required advanced reservations.
•Donations are Welcome! Please help!:
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A donation of $25 is the equivalent of a concert ticket. You receive a souvenir pin.
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A donation of $75 was the equivalent of a festival pass. You receive a souvenir collector VBF pin and a ticket to all concert and dance events.
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A “silver cornet” donation of $150 made you a sponsor of the festival. You receive passes and tickets to all reserved/limited space events and receptions, a free t-shirt, a souvenir collector VBF pin, a souvenir poster, and our sincere thanks!
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A “golden euphonium” donation of $250 made you a founder of the festival. You received all passes and souvenir gifts, our sincere thanks, you will be invited join the the international musicians and scholars for a special evening reception. Larger donations are also welcome.
Festival Features
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Festival Headquarters during the Festival Week festival events registration, brochure, information, and a warm hello.
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More than 15 bands -over 40 outdoor concerts over 4 days!
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Most festival concerts presented free of charge. Festivalgoers, however, make donations to help us with expenses.
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The performances take place in many outdoor locations all around Northfield. Sites included Bridge Square, Way Park, Odd Fellows Park, Northfield Retirement Center, Riverside Park, Veterans’ Memorial Park, Central Park, and others.
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Many attendees bring a bicycle and a folding chair . This is the best way to get around to the concert sites. Most of the bands are e dressed in 19th Century clothing-and many festival goers did the same.
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Northfield had fantastic food available from the numerous restaurants and coffee shops.
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Hotels, motels, and B&Bs in Northfield and nearby communities
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Northfield Historical Society will present a special band history exhibit and presentations
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Schubert Club/Kugler Collection Historical Instrument Exhibit was at Northfield Arts Guild Gallery
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Mark Chalabala’s Band History Photography Exhibit was set up during the festival.
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Dancing in the streets! There were several opportunities for polka dancing and 19th century cotillion dancing.
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Live band music in taverns and restaurants during the Festival evenings.
Geo Cloos Crosby Fife, Rosewood
March 30, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Classifieds
Rosewood Geo Cloos Fife with German silver tips. Fitted with a “cheater” or Fipple.
Asking: $125.00
Contact Gordon here
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
Box Valve Cornet – For Sale
March 29, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Classifieds
This box valve cornet is incomplete and possibly a pre-patent Quinby “style” cornet dating to circa 1870’s. It’s a three valve piston operated cornet top mounted valves. It is believed to one of only four known examples of this type of valve system. In addition to this instrument, there are only three others like this to exist. Two are in museums and the other one is in a private collection.
We are considering serious offers on this extremely rare cornet. If interested, please submit your offer to Gordon via email gordonmedley (at) gmail dot com Alternatively, you can reach us on our Contact page.
8 Key Bugle – New Classified
March 29, 2009 by Gordon
Filed under Classifieds
Keyed bugle, 8 keys. Fully restored with tuning bits for both a keyed bugle mouthpiece shank, as well as a cornet mouthpiece shank. Plays in high pitch Bb. Bugle does not have a makers name. Plays very well. Copper body with brass garland and keys. $3500 Buyer pays shipping. Contact Steve at nevetsdraw@cox.net.
looking for a picture of a Windsor cornet
I am looking for a picture of a Windsor cornet. I don’t have a year for the instrument but I picked it up with another instrument and am intrigued by its design. It has a problem with the leadpipe and bell tubing being offset and what looks like a piece missing between the lead pipe and the tuning slide. I am looking for a picture to use as a reference as I rebuild this horn. It is very heavy and has a unique art deco type of post system particularly around the valve casings. It is silver with a satin finish. Any information about the horn would be appreciated. Thank you.
John McBride
Three frequently asked questions
November 19, 2008 by Gordon
Filed under Collecting
Most of the inquiries we receive from folks who find a horn in the attic or buy it at a flea market or rummage sale fall into three categories.
1) What is it?
2) Can it be repaired?
3) How much is it worth?
Since we are not in the business of buying instruments, we cannot help with their next question, “how much will you pay me for it.” To help these folks with their questions, we are starting a “Buy and Sell” section where people will be able to list their instrument and deal directly with prospective buyers. This will be done for an low up front fee and the seller and buyer are on their own to hammer out a deal. After you list, we exit the picture and unlike eBay, have nothing further to do with the transaction. We will be happy to answer your first three questions, but please understand, we do not buy instruments.
An Occasion for a Vintage Horn
The Christmas season will be here soon. This is my favorite time with my old Euphoniums. TUBA Christmas events provide a wonderful venue to break out some of the old instruments I don’t use on a regular basis.
If you have not ever participated in TUBA Christmas, you should give it a try. If you are a cornet player beg, barrow or steal an old euph, baritone or an Eb Tuba to play. The music is available in treble clef so the fingerings are the same as on cornet (even for the Eb Tuba in T.C.). Just make sure your old instrument is tuned to A=440 and you will be all set.
