Interesting engraving on early Bach trumpet

dr-pepp

A friend told me about a New York Bach at a local pawn shop that was pretty beat up, but also an early one. I went by for a look and he was right on both counts. It is SN 845 with 1928 stamped on the bell, but it is very rough. It was refinished in the distant past and some of the engraving is worn down. It has two patches on the leadpipe and three on the bell. I could not make out the numbers on the bell, but sadly, I think this horn is destined as a parts horn. The most interesting thing I noted was that there is an engraved image above the traditional Bell hallmark. This engraving is worn (and my photo isn't great) but it appears to be an Archer riding in a Chariot. Certainly this could have been added after it left the factory but this looks similar to some of the engraved scenes that I've seen on vintage Conns. Again, the photo isn't great, but you can make out the wheel of the chariot and the outline of the archer's bow. They wanted more than I thought the horn was worth for parts, but if anyone is interested in the horn, pm me and I'll give you more details.

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Clay Collins
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also administrator of Olds Central
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Divitt Trumpets · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 3:09 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't use it for parts. A Bach that early is worth having in any condition.
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kehaulani

J. Landress Brass · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 4:12 pm Post subject:

I sent you a PM as I would love this for my collection.

I knew the guy who did this engraving. He was a master engraver who worked here in NY and did engraving for Parduba, Bach, Calicchio, Carl Fisher, and many other companies including Tiffanies and some of the other high end shops.

He told me stories of horns he did Egyptian style engraving on and always wanted one.
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OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2441

Josh beat me to it. A horn like that is a window into history - regardless of if it will ever play right again.
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2017 Austin Winds Stage 466
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huntman10 · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 5:53 pm Post subject:

It has been about 50 years ago, but I recall seeing a 1928 Bach "Apollo" model engraved with a similar subject, Apollo riding his Chariot too close to the sun, as in mythology! Someone had donated it to a local "Boys Town", a boarding school for troubled kids. The director had tossed the donated horns in a pile, and had his student teacher, a friend of mine, stripping the horns of usable parts, throwing most out. My friend asked the director if he could keep that one since he was a French horn player and needed a trumpet to help students, and the teacher said "Fine!"

Anyway, it was in gorgeous condition. I offered all I could ($375, but you could get a new Strad for that with a college discount) but he managed to connect with a collector (pre-internet, of course) and got a princely sum. It did play fantastically.
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huntman10
Collector/Player of Fine (and not so fine) Brass Instruments including
Various Strads, Yammies, Al Hirt Courtois, Schilkes,
Selmer 25, Getzen Eternas, Kanstuls (920 Pic, CG)
Martin Custom Large Bore, Lots Olds!, Conns, etc.

kehaulani · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2021 8:30 pm Post subject:

(Icarus flew too close to the sun.)
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dr-pepp · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2021 1:52 pm Post subject:

Picked up the horn today from the pawn shop and it is on the way to the new owner, Josh Landress. I took a few photos before packing it up and shipping to Josh. Looking forward to see what Josh can do with it! Would be interested to know if someone can decode the numbers stamped on the bell.

_________________
Clay Collins
Owner, Centex Brass
www.centexbrass.com
also administrator of Olds Central
www.olds-central.com

J. Landress Brass · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks Clay for the foot work and hooking this up. This horn will certainly be a big project but will keep you a updated as the work goes. Very excited to have this coming in.
_________________
Josh Landress
J. Landress Brass, LLC.
38 West 32nd Street, STE 908, NY, NY 10001
646-922-7126
www.jlandressbrass.com