Expert: Kenton Scott - 12/4/2005

Question
Thank you for your help with the American Triumph horn. I am considering buying another old horn as I am going to start collecting old horns. There is extensive engraving on the horn:  "Cousenon & Company, Fournisseurs de L'Armee, 94 Rue D'Angouleme, Paris, Chateau-Thierry".  Also, "Exposition Universelle De Paris 1900, Hors Concours, Membre du Jury". Translated, this says something about the Armee Supply and World Fair of Paris 1900. Is this rare, or were many horns made like this?

Answer
You are welcome on the American Triumph.  Glad to be of assistance.

Regarding the Couesnon, a number of the European makers liked to decorate their bells with awards and recognitions.  Bessons are done up similarly.  So, I would expect that this might have been a regularly used engraving for at least a period of time.

At the time, the cornet was the dominant brass instrument.  It was the solo voice and the one that attacted those seeking a status symbol. That voice would have had the most competition between makers, and probably the most interest between buyers.  Trombones, tenor horns, or tubas would not have generated as much of a following.

If you are going to start collecting, you will probably need to decide what it is that is the focus of your collection.  As an example, the rare horns may not be the best playing horns.  You need to decide what it is that you are concentrating upon.  Is it only cornets?  Of a certain time period?  etc.  

Let me invite you to www.horn-u-copia.net  where we explore a lot of those questions.  It is a good place to learn from others and also share knowledge you may have with others.

kms