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Boosey & Co Tenor Flugel in Eb c. 1886 According to Arnold Myers,
this insrument was one of two made by Boosey & Co and
called a "Tenor Flugel" or a Bell Front Tenor. Apparently
Boodey made only a few of
these destined
primarily for the US market. Essentially it is a a bell-forward
solo alto in Eb, but the British still call their Eb horns "Tenors"
while we in the US consider tenors to be like a Bb
baritone.
Inscribed
on bell:
Distin Boosey & Co. Makers 295 Regent St. London, 32233 , Wm. A. Pond & Co., Sole Agents for the U.S.A. New York. The second valve is stamped
with Distin trademark and name and serial number 26786. Diston
& Sons sold their firm to Boosey in 1868 . While this serial
number
would indicate a date of manufacture of 1873,the horn was actually made
in 1886-based on the number on the bell. Distin emigrated to the
US in 1877, but Boosey continued to use Distin logos and serial numbers
on Boosey horns into 1887. Boosey & Co. functioned at
Regent Street from 1874-1930 and used Pond & Co. New York City (1863-1946) as
their exclusive US
Agent.
According to the firm's archieves, the instrument was made by a Mr. Bailey "E-Flat Tenor-Bell Forward N.Y. Class C". The order was given out on 9 Feb 1886; received 12 Feb 1886; given to polisher 11 Feb 1886; and charged to Regent Street 24 Feb 1886. It was paid for in a batch of 2 (32233-4; Bailey 18/9d + Last £1/2/9 charged to Regent Street. This bell front "Solo Alto" would have been played in town bands and marching bands by their best Eb musician versus a solo upright Eb tenors. It is 19" long awith a 7" bell. The silver plating is 100% intact, and the horn plays very well with a mellow centered sound.    |
