Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Howdy,

I have a 3-valve Bb/A piccolo trumpet that has "Blessing Artist" stamped on the bell.  I called the Blessing company in Indiana and the gentleman with whom I spoke was quite surprised that I had that particular horn.  According to him, 25 or 30 years ago Blessing contracted the fabrication of 3-valve and 4-valve piccolos to Cousenon in Paris.

It's a fine player.  My instructor, the principal in my wind symphony, and I like it.

How much information do you have on Blessing branded Cousenon piccolo trumpets?  I didn't pay very much for it, but I'd love to have as much information as possible.

Thanks!

ANSWER: I've not heard of Blessing having done that.  So, it is news to me.


During the 1930s Couesnon made the business decision to cater to marching brass bands, and gradually became almost the only supplier of marching brass instruments in France. They made many horns which were imported into the United States, including many that were sold under the names of music stores and other private labels.  At the end of World War II, though the music business started to change, Couesnon continued to deal primarily with the special needs and instruments of brass and military bands.  

Starting in the 60's and during the next 20 years, Couesnon tried to expand its share in markets other than marching bands. They made a line called "Monopole Conservatoire" of higher quality instruments,  but their marketing proved ineffective and factories were sold off and in 1969, the main factory was badly damaged by fire, destroying the archives. The fire resulted in loss of all the company records, including those which would make it possible to determine the year of manufacture from the serial number.

In 1978, the contract with Gretch to import Couesnon instruments to the United States was terminated and few Couesnon instruments have been seen in the US since.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the quick reply!

I guess I'll call Blessing again and see if maybe someone else knows.

For what it's worth, the serial number is 42, which allegedly dates the picc at 80-100 years old, but I don't think that's the case at all.  I really like the horn, I just wish I could find some more information about it.

Answer
If that is a Blessing number, that would put it at near the beginning of their manufacturing history, and it would seem unlikely that they would be providing piccolos that early.  Couesnon didn't always use serial numbers, though many of the earlier ones, had a 'pineapple' design with a number in it that designated the year of manufacture.

Although, the piccolo had been around in various form for almost as long as valved trumpets, they really didn't make it to a popular status until the 1960s, so it would seem much more probably that the horn is no older than that.