Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/21/2009

Question
QUESTION: Similar to Belinda's question of 21 August 2008, except that I would not sell it .
Tipperary Town in Ireland where I grew up was a British Garrison town in the early 1900's . In early 1950's I was given the gift of a cornet in poor condition which I played with difficulty ( due to leaks ). The inscription on it is as follows :
 1st Class ( followed by a crest ).
  Exhibition Prize Medal
   Awarded London 1862 & Dublin 1865
   to I. HIGHAM
    MAKER
   127 Strangeways
   Manchester
    33166

1. Is this a once off instrument?
2. In your opinion would it be worth restoring to playable condition?
3. Where could it be restored in Dublin?
4. Would you reckon it come from the Garrison Barracks?

Thanks

Pat

ANSWER: If the Garrison was started in the early 1900's then this horn was probably not associated with it.  It is older than that, it comes from the early 1880's.  Official military organizations tend to have new instruments.  But back in those days, every small town had at least one town band.  Remember that at that time, if you didn't have live music, you didn't have any music!  Higham made quality instruments, but this would appear to be their normal product.  The engravings are simply a form of advertising.  I would think it would be at least worth exploring whether to restore it or not, and I would certainly think there would be someone in Dublin that could do the work, though, I don't have any recommendations.



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

QUESTION: Thanks for prompt response . Some comments rather than questions :
1. I have established that the Garrison existed from 1874 . So I think it reasonable to presume the cornet came from that sourse .
2. The current Brass and Reed band had republican origins and it dates from 1882 . So maybe that was the sourse .
3. It seems odd that HIGHAM would engrave every instrument for advertising purposes . From recollection , Belinda's cornet quoted the same dates as mine , yet hers was engraved 2nd class while mine is 1st class . Why would he give them different classes unless they were the actual instruments which were judged ?
4. Does the number 33166 have any revelence ?

Regards

Pat
4. A final point . I note the maker was J HIGHAM  per Belinda's question and your response . Yet , the engraving on my cornet appears to be " I.HIGHAM " . The initial " i" appears similar to the " I " in " HIGHAM .

Answer
1.  Agreed.
2.  Also sounds plausible.
3.  Think of the Classes as models or quality levels.  Makers would enter examples of their instruments in Exhibitions, and the example was judged.  When they won an award, they plastered that information all over their product line.
4.  It is a serial or inventory number.  People use them after the fact to establish general time lines on when instruments were made.
4. (again)  The tool apparently didn't hit the metal directly, or it has worn away over time.  The maker's name was Joseph Higham.   The rest of the information is consistent with J. Higham.