Thus, less space is required inside the valve to avoid intersections. The diameter is much smaller than that of comparable modern valves, and achieves this small size by reshaping the valve ports from a circular shape to an oval narrower in the axis of rotation of the valve. The Allen valve is a rotary valve similar to those used by modern instruments in function, but with a few key differences. Hall, Allen and Hall, or Hall and Quinby. This particular instrument is believed to be a European copy of an Eb soprano (comparable to today’s piccolo trumpets in its part) with Allen valves in the mould of those produced by Allen, D.C. Saxhorns do not often appear on eBay (at least in comparison to other brass instruments), with this being the second I have seen in my time, the first being a Bb tenor saxhorn several months ago. This is a rare sight for those stalking eBay. Keep reading lyon and healy own make cornet shepherds crook band orchestra history instrument music 1800s 1900s brass chicagoĮuropean Over-the-Shoulder Eb Soprano Saxhorn The seller says that it plays wonderfully, especially with the included mouthpiece, and that it has good valve compression. The original case handle is missing, but the leather on a 1904 Duplex in our collection is in such a state that such a handle is basically unusable. This instrument is in quite good condition for its age, with no missing parts except possibly the lyre, and a wonderful condition case interior.
Interestingly, at this point the serial number also appears to be stamped onto the bell, though by 1904 this was hand-engraved instead. It appears that in 1904 this was phased out in favor of a fixed-length leadpipe, by which time Lyon and Healy’s engravings had also become far more ornate, spreading from the bell to virtually the entire instrument. Like early “Duplex” cornets, this uses removable leadpipe shanks, with an extra shank to put it into A. Production ramped up in 1899 after the introduction of the “Duplex” cornet, the company having made less than 100 “Own Make” instruments before its introduction. In 1896, they started producing instruments themselves, with their “Own Make” line of instruments. The Chicago-based Lyon and Healy company is today best known for its harp production, but in the early 1890s they joined the growing trend of instrument companies importing European brass instruments, Lyon and Healy importing many instruments from Paris and other parts of Europe. cornet band orchestra brass instruments lyon and healy beau ideal ebay music historyġ899 Lyon and Healy “Own Make” Bb/A Cornet The missing leadpipes are not much of a disadvantage for actually playing the instrument in modern contexts, but do make the instrument less historically interesting, as it is incomplete. This instrument appears to be in fair condition for its age, though the first valve button is an immensely tacky replacement, and the case is almost certainly not original, as cornets of this era often used cases which held the instrument upright. Its mouthpiece is also heavily engraved, which was less common by the beginning of the 20th century. This instrument also has a removable leadpipe, and would originally have had multiple leadpipes to allow for the different tunings of the time.
The series of the instrument, such as Beau Ideal or Own Make, denoted where the instrument was made, with Beau Ideals being most likely made in France. At this point, a great deal of Lyon and Healy’s products were in fact instruments of questionable quality built in Europe, shipped to Chicago and labeled as Lyon and Healys. This is a shepherds-crook style cornet built by the Chicago-based manufacturer Lyon and Healy, best known for their harps.