Expert: Kenton Scott - 5/24/2010

Question
i was just wondering if you would could tell me about this cornet that i got from my grandfather. He found it in an old house that he was rebuilding. it says New Proportion made by Frank Holton, Chicago on the top of the horn and on the side in says union label 0- Frank Holton & Co. Chicago 26091. i hope that is enough information, I know almost nothing about Brass instruments. please tell me anything you can. thank you very much
                                                  Kayla

Answer
Frank Holton was a trombonist with Sousa who decided to go into business for himself,  He first started making trombone slide oil, and then in 1898, he a shop in Chicago shop and created his first trombone.  By 1900, he was producing several models of trombones, cornets, trumpets and euphoniums, as well as percussion instruments.

He built your horn in 1914

In 1917 Holton moved his company to Elkhorn, Wisconsin