Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/21/2006

Question
Hi,
I was hoping you could give me some info/ or maybe an approximate value on this cornet my husband's grandparents recently aquired. It's silver and in excellent condition for it's age, there are no large dents and the engraving is in good shape. J.Howard Foote's name appears on the instrument and the first date that appears is 1855. This is the engraving found on the cornet:
from top to bottom,

Medaille of 1st classe
expositon
Universalle 1855 >found in a round circle as in seal

medaille
Londres             1862
Exposition          universalle

      Paris 1867
Medal of Honor,)translated into French
En Argent
Antoine Courtois & Mille SR.
Facteur du conservatoise
National
88.Rue Des Marais
St.Martin
Paris                  

1LR PRIX

Grande Medaille D'ur
Exposition de Moscow
1872 & Medaille D'or Paris
1878  

 Grande Medaille D'ur
Exposition de Moscow
1872 & Medaille D'or Paris
1878        

          
J.Howard Foote
sole U.S. agent
New York & Chicago            >end of engraving

Sorry to make this so lengthy but I want to give you as much info as possible. Any help you can give would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks, Lauren G.


Answer
Hi Lauren,

J. Howard Foote was an importer/manufacturere who claimed that his imports were nevertheless made to his specifications.  Courtois products were imported by him.  Courtois has always been respected for their products.

To date the instrument, the last  date is 1878.  So, we know that the horn is no older than that.  Foote went out of business in 1896, so we know it older than that.  

However, I have a trombone with nearly identical markings and it also mentions a medal from 1889, which this horn does not have.  There  may be other reasons for the difference, but it MAY mean that this horn was made between 1878 and 1889.