Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/17/2008

Question
i have a j howard foote cornett i am researching. it has several engravings on the bell. the first is partially unlegible with the naked eye but this is what i can read.
Arbuckle ? / medaille / Londres 1862 / Exposition Universelle / Paris 1867 / medaille ? / en argent / antoine Courtois & Mille / Mille S R / Facteur du Conservatoire National / 88 rue Marais Y t Martin / Paris / 1LR Prix / Grande Medaille D'or / Exposition De Moscou 1872 / & Medaille D'or Paris 1878 / J. Howard Foote / sole U.S. agent / New York And Chicago.
The mouth piece is stamped 1 and Martin Elkhart. Do you have any knowledge or ideas about this horn. Is there anyone in the north atlanta area that you could direct me to? Thanks

Answer
John Howard Foote was a maker/dealer.

In describing his business strategy he said, "...most of my goods, though not of my manufacture, are made to order by different makers from drawings, descirptions, and in come cases models furnished by me."

He ceased operations in 1896.

The maker of this instrument is Courtois.  By the award dates you can tell that it is no older than 1878.  The next award that they add to their engraving is 1889.  So, it is probably no newer than that.  

Matthew Arbuckle (born 1828-died 1883)) was a famous cornet soloist, originally from Scotland, but established his fame in the US.  So this model was named for him.  He was in Patrick Gilmore's Band and had to content with another cornet soloist by the name of Jules Levy.  Gilmore gave them more or less equal billing, and that did not suit the two mens' egos.  At one point they came to blows.  

Courtois, on the other hand apparently took a cue from Gilmore and also produced a  Levy model!