Antique Musical Instruments/Cornet made by J Higham

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Expert: - 8/21/2008


Question

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Hi, I know nothing about musical instruments so forgive me if my terminology is completely wrong !!

I have an old brass cornet that my husband purchased over 50 years ago.  The inscription on the bell is:

2nd class - (followed by a crest), Exhibition prize medal, Awarded London 1862 & Dublin 1865, to J Higham, Maker, 127 Strangeways, Manchester, 32386.

The mouthpiece is inscribed: J Higham, Maker.

Is this a 'one off' exhibition piece or did he make a number of them?

Do you think it is worth anything?  If so, where would I go to sell it (other than ebay)?

Many thanks for your help and expertise.

Kind regards

Belinda  

Answer
Joesph Higham was a busy maker in London.  He established his business in Manchester in 1842, and was succeeded by his son-in-law Peter Robinson in 1883.  In 1923 Mayers and Harrison became the proprietors.


Yours dates to the early 1880s.  The markings on the horn are basically advertising.  

I suspect you will do as well on eBay as anywhere.  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentMany, many thanks for your very fast, very clear and informative response. What a fantastic site ! Kind regards


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Kenton Scott

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Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

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B.S. Ed, M.S.

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