Boosey and Hawkes Cornet

Hucky · New Member Joined: 02 Dec 2022 Posts: 1

So, someone has just given me an old Boosey and Hawkes Cornet to look over. It was bloody confusing because it has two serial numbers, one in the regular place on side of the valve casing and one engraved on the bell. The one in the ‘proper place’ puts a build date around 1924, which is not possible because Hawkes had not joined with Boosey. There is lots of ornamental engraving on the bell including all the “Boosey and Hawkes” designs and another serial number (which is how Boosey and Hawkes marked serial numbers) dating the cornet to around 1939, which fits the branding. Does anyone have any idea what I have? Someone suggested a broken Boosey Cornet (1924 vintage) fixed with a Boosey and Hawkes Bell (1939). Are there any ideas other than a Frankencornet?

Andy Del · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2022 6:53 am Post subject:

Go with the bell number. It is common with these instruments to have a serial number on both the valve cluster and bell - the bell is whets they kept placing the serial number well into this century.

Cheers

Andy
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so many horns, so few good notes...

OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2440

The practice of putting the serial number on the bell while having an unrelated tracking number on the valve block dates back to Henry Distin. Distin sold his firm to Boosey & Co. who kept that practice, and the eagle trademark Distin had used. When Boosey merged with Hawks & Son, the Boosey line continued for some time to follow these practices.

The serial number is on the bell.
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Ron Berndt
www.trumpet-history.com

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