Stowasser Euphonium in Bb   c.1890

This is a particularly beautiful 4 Valve Euphonium made by W. Stowassers Sohne Graslitz.  The Stowassers were a prolific family of instrument makers dating back to 1770 and who remained in business until 1945 when the Graslitz firm was expropriated.  . Wenzel Stowasser's three sons Joseph, Richard and Julius took over the firm in 1870<> and ultimately established branches in Verona, Buenos Aires Barcelona, Hamburg, Napoli, Warsaw and NewYork.   Ignaz Stowasser, brother to Wenzel, was the first to patent a Helicon tuba in 1848.

This Euphonium demonstrates the fine detail and decoration typical of Stowasser instruments. The valve caps and linkage is profusely decorated.  The instrument is solidly built and still plays beautifully.  If you look closely- one finger button is made from an old US Nickel!