Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/2/2006

Question
I have come across a Lorenzo Sansone double horn with the f and bflat slides reversed (bflat on top).  It is stamped Lorenzo Sansone, New York, USA on the bell.  The serial number is 1873.  I know that he made a few thousand by hand and then sold the design to King (I believe).  Can you tell me if this horn has any value and about when it would have been made?  It plays very well in the upper register.  It is in very good condition for it's age.

Any more info would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Wes  

Answer
I suspect that you may know as much about his instruments as I do.  Sansone passed away in 1975, and started his business in 1914.    He made some interesting horns.  I've got one in G (why he made it in that key, and why I still have it, I don't know.)  And, he seemed to have a preference for Bb horns - some with 5  valves.  By all accounts, his instrument are of good quality.

But, at least one model of double was not popular.  This model of double horn had the smaller Bb valve slides above the F slides.  It was later copied by Holton.