C.E. Ridgely Cornets

[jhatpro]

Anyone know anything about horns from 19th Century New York maker?
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Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[jrpbrass]

I just finished researching C E Ridgely from NYC and found this old post so here is the answer if anyone is still interested. Clifford Ridgely was a theater musician in NY in 1910 then bought out instrument maker R. A. Kaempf & Son in 1911. He was located at #1503 3rd Street for many years supplying band instruments to local schools. He became the bandmaster of the 69th Regiment Band in WWI and served that position into the 1930s. He died in 1944 and is buried in his hometown of Ashland, Ohio.
One trumpet I saw is a Conn Pan American stencil from 1920.
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BrassHistory.net
Soli Deo Gloria

[BrianBenamati]

Just saw the last post in this thread. I have a C.E. Ridgely Cornet. I purchased it four years ago and have been playing it regularly. The engraving on the bell actually says, "Made for C.E. Ridgely, New York." It is Silver plated with, what appears to be, a rose brass bell.
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Kanstul F. Besson Meha Trumpet
C.E. Ridgley Cornet

[jrpbrass]

If your Ridgely cornet has a serial number starting with "P" then it probably is a Pan American made by Conn. You can look up the date for it through the Horn-u-Copia website.
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BrassHistory.net
Soli Deo Gloria

[BrianBenamati]

I cannot find a serial number. There are stamped numbers such as 24, 25, 26 on the valves and certain slides. It seems to be a prototype horn. I'll post a photo of the horn and the engraving.[/img]
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Kanstul F. Besson Meha Trumpet
C.E. Ridgley Cornet