Is it really what you think it is?

Like most collectors of antique horns, I have been guilty of not doing my homework on identifying exactly what kind of horn, valve type, maker, etc I have. The sources for this kind of identification are there, but often the novice collector does not know where to look Two good starting points are Langwills Index and Heydes works. Other sources are Eliasons works and other collectors in different countries.

I had been making this mistake for years, until just recently, I made the acquaintance of  German collector Udo Koehne. Udo has a very interesting and a good sized collection of brass instruments. In addition, Udo is a professional brass musician (trumpet) in a Bonn Germany orchestra, so when he talks about brass instruments and valve systems, you can learn a lot.

I had been in error for years in identifying one of my horns as having Vienna Valves. Udo informed me that the instrument was in fact known as “Neumainzer” and had what was known as “Klinkerdrucker” and explained that was the reason the Graves/Boston horn on Ebay sold for over $14000.

Udo was kind enough to share this information and even told me where to look to find examples of this type of valve. Just another example of how important it is to the novice collector to contact the right sources and persons for information. Thanks Udo!

Vienna Valves and their role in Music

Today, only the Vienna Symphony uses horns with Vienna Valves.  They are specially made and they, like the Berliner Pumpen valve, seem to have disappeared into obscurity.  Vienna valves, known in the United States as Vienna Double slide valves, are little known.  Surprisingly, American makers attempted to make Vienna Valves and several have been found in American collections.  One sold recently on ebay for $14,400.  It was made by Graves in Boston, probably in the 1850’s.

Another example by a obscure maker in Cincinnati is in the 1st Brigade Band collection and can be viewed online at the band’s very interesting website.  The 1st Brigade Band is a website that should be visited by anyone, collector or researcher, to view the collection.

I actually played one of my Vienna valved horns when I was in the 1st Brigade Band and I found it to play rather well.  I still always went back to my Berliner Pumpen Alto, as it was the horn I preferred over all others.  I guess every musician has a favorite and I had mine.

One of the men in the band, as his favorite, preferred a rotary valve alto horn that was used in the original 1st Brigade Band in the 1850’s.  It was used at the Lincoln-Douglass debates in Illinois before the Civil War.  Playing a horn with a historic connection is a joy in itself.  Just for your info - it didn’t play as well as my favorite, the Berliner Pumpen Alto.