AboutKenton Scott Expertise Provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site.
Experience 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
Question Hi, I was given a Courtois cornet a long while ago and recently found it again in my attic, the engraving on it reads "MEDAILLE DE 1RE CLASSE EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE 1855" in a circle and then "Médaille LONDRES 1862 Exposition Universelle PARIS 1867 Médaille d'Honneur EN ARGENT ANTOINE COURTOIS & MILLE MILLE SR FACTEUR DU CONSERVATOIRE NATIONAL 88, rue des Marais St Martin Paris 1LR PRIX GRANDE MÉDAILLE D'OR EXPOSITION DE MOSCOU 1872 & MEDAILLE D'OR PARIS 1878 S. ARTHUR CHAPPELL Sole Agent 52 New Bond Street London. It then has some nice engraving of some flowers and 1910
It is pretty beat up with a few dents especially round the bell so my question is can i safely assume it is a vintage cornet? Is it worth restoring and can you tell me any history on it?
Many thanks
Answer Well youu can tell from the engraving that it is no older than 1878. Courtois had a lot of agents in various countries. But it is interesting that they had on in their home country. Courtois made good instruments. Whether it is worth restoring or not would depend on its present condition.
