1862 OR EARLIER ROTARY VALVE E-FLAT CIRCULAR HELICON CORNET BY FIRTH POND & CO, NY

1862 OR EARLIER ROTARY VALVE E-FLAT CIRCULAR HELICON CORNET BY FIRTH POND & CO, NY

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$8,500.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1268-171

A very scarce German silver helicon cornet with three rotary valves, nicely marked on the lower portion of the bell, just above the garland in stamped in block letters “FIRTH POND & Co / NEW YORK.” This dates it to 1862 or earlier, with the company founded in 1847, as a split from Firth, Hall & Pond, doing business at 1 Franklin Square until 1855 and at 547 Broadway from 1856 to 1862. In 1863 the company changed to Firth, Son & Co. at 563 Broadway.

This has a pleasing silver finish with few thin age stains, measures 12” wide and about 10-1/2” tall, and has ¾” garland on the bell. It appears to be complete, has a brass mouthpiece, and shows just one narrow dent on the lower curve of the tube as it expands toward the bell and an old solder repair to the strut near the finger ring.

For a history of these horns and their usage, photographs of other examples, and period photos of Civil War soldiers with them see, e.g., Garofalo and Elrod’s Pictorial History of Civil War Musical Instruments and Military Bands (1985) as well more recent publications such as the Military Images digital article of August 30, 2021, showing numerous clear photos of Civil War bandsmen. Bands were in the field with many regiments until the government decided to limit them to brigades or larger organizations, though some bands previously linked to a specific regiment then assumed that post and saw service throughout the war.   [sr][ph:m]

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