Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/8/2010

Question
I have a instrument I believe to be a cornet prossible Solo Alto. with JW Pepper and Son Imports Philidelphia Willard W. Willyard 59033 engraved on it. Can you tell me anything more about this instrument.
Thank you
Cheri

Answer
I can't tell you what it is without seeing it or having more information.  But, I can tell you that  the name is William Hillyard.

William Hillyard worked in Dublin for McNeill, Higham in Manchester and Distin in London. In 1862, he established independently until he sold out to Chappell in 1894 when he came to Philadelphia and was hired by Pepper as a manager. He established independently in 1894 or 1897 as Hillyard and Barnes. In 1897 Pepper sued over the use of the Hillyard name as Pepper claimed he had invested heavily in tools and equipment to produce instruments so marked.

(If that is a Pepper serial number then it probably dates to around 1918, but I'm not sure that is the case.  That is a topic that could/should be debated elsewhere.)

OK, as to what it is.  You can do some measurements.  If you measure from the mouthpipe to the bell, following the tubing, but ignoring the tubing that diverts off of the valve (just measure across the valves).

It is easy to give too much detail, but here goes:  

There is a small cornet in Eb it would be 36.5 to 38 in long.  A Bb cornet would be between 50 to 51.5 in long.  The alto Eb cornet would be between 76 and 78.5 in long.