Expert: Kenton Scott - 6/28/2006

Question
I have a beautifull old holton that I play daily,and I would like to know more about its history.Description: silver finish,#16473(stamped not only on valve casing,but also on the valves,caps,etc.),gorgeous etching on the bell that reads: Couturier Model New Proportion Frank Holton & Co. Chicago. On the very rim of the bell is etched: Sherman Clay & Co. SanFancisco.The main tuning slide is etched with: PAT OCT 17,11.
I bought it in a pawn shop for $35 three years ago,gave it a good bath and some oil and wow! This horn smokes!Hendrx to Handel,Bach to Beastie Boys, this Horn is haunted!  

Answer
Interesting.  I just had two requests on the same model instrument, made in the same year.

It was made in 1912

Courturier was a well known soloist at the turn of the century, though not well recorded. He first worked with Holton on the "Courturier Model", then with York, and in 1918 he and others opened their own business, "E. A. Couturier Co., Ltd.," with the intention of building instruments using his continuous conical bore patent. This cornet uses a minimum of cylindrical tubing.   The firm was bought by Lyon & Healy in 1923, and ended production in 1929.


I presume that Sherman Clay was a music dealer.