Expert: Kenton Scott - 10/24/2007

Question
QUESTION: I just purchased this horn, which has a s/n of 60XXX.  It is silver and looks to be in good condition for a horn of this age.  What can you tell me about these horns?  Thanks.

ANSWER: Herbert Clarke was a noted soloist who toured with Sousa and later on his own.  He did endorsements for Holton, and put his name on certain models.   If you search the Internet, you can probably find his autobiography.  It is a pretty good read, and provides in the life of a musician 100 years ago.

Yours dates to 1922-3.



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

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick answer.  Do you have an opinion as to the quality and sound of this horn?  Thanks again.

Answer
It would have been aimed at the professional market when it was made, Holton made quality stuff, even his later student level horns were above the norm.  I would expect that one with the Clarke name would been equal or superior to his regular ones.  And, in fact, I do believe that this horn has a good reputation.