Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/23/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have been given a vintage, silver clad american style cornet of Besson manufacture.  The bell indicates the following:

        CLASS

         A

    New Creation

 { Medals of Honor }

         FB

    Besson & Co.

    " Prototype "

   198 EUSTON ROAD

       LONDON

       ENGLAND

         *

     CARL  FISCHER

     6  4TH  AV. N.Y.

   SOLE AGENT U. STATES

On the second valve within an oval is the following:  

Besson & Co

   *

 Brevete

The serial number on the horn is 95101 which seems to date it in the early 1900's, yet it plays in tune with itself @ A=440. Although there is no doubt that the build and sonic quality of the horn is as fine/finer than any I've owned, I can find nearly no information on it...although a bit about the shepherds crook model.  A real curiosity in a very cool leather 'doctor's bag' case.   Any ideas are appreciated.

ANSWER: Carl Fischer had a long history of importing instruments, some of which were of very good quality.  Dating Bessons by the serial number is tricky at best, but your estimate seems sound.  At that time in history, there was no single standard pitch, though the newer organizations tended toward the modern (low) pitch, there were nevertheless many organizations still playing at high pitch.  

The Besson New Creations that I have seen were not, however, shepard's crook instruments.  They were of the reverse six design pre-valve but long crook (not shepherd) post valve.  



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

QUESTION: Were these cornets of any renown/ well regarded by bands and/or individual pro musicians to the best of your knowledge? As to the information that I found (shepherds crook model), these seem to be preferred and perhaps because of customs at the time, native to brass bands in Great Britain. Thank you again,
Joe

Answer
Yes, the Besson cornets are highly regarded, historically they are among the top of the list.  Besson had several models that were endorsed by famous cornetists, including Arbuckle, Arban and Levy.  

There are three dominant post valve cornet configurations, the shepherds crook, the long crook and the post loop.