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Antique Musical Instruments/Huttl Mellophone
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Question
I've been trying to date and gain some history on a mellophone my father gave me. It has the logo A.K. Huttl, Graslitz, Grand Prix, Buenos Aires, 191?(can't make out the last number), on the bell. It is marked Made in Czechoslovakia on the middle valve, but I have not been able to find a serial number. It has slides for F, Eb, and D. Any info will be appreciated.
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The history of the Huttl company is confusing.
Anton Konrad Huttl started his company in 1877. The company advertised in 1913 that they had the largest most modern factory in Austria-Hungary and Germany.
In 1945, the company was Nationalized, and they relocated in South Wales. Huttl, had a factory one in Canada that closed down in the 1970s.
The reference to Buenos Aires is an advertisement that they were a part of the exhibition held in 1910. It also is an indication that the horn is no older than that. The fact that it says Czechoslovakia is an indication that it was made after 1919. The fact that it says Made in Czechoslovakia is an indication that it was probably made after 1923 as that is when instruments imported into the US were required to contain that information. A serial number would do no good as there are no serial number lists for Huttl.
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Answers by Expert:
Kenton Scott
Expertise
Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB 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
Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.
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