Expert: Kenton Scott - 2/10/2006

Question
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Followup To
Question -
My father gave me his "Triebert Brevete" C melody saxophone, serial no. 9878 and Paris engraved on it, silver satin finish, a kings crown stamped on it, pearl finger buttons, SDGD initials stamped on it, on the thumb rest are initials N and M. is in excellent shape and plays very nice. Would like to know history of the maker and approx. age and does it have any value.  I can get nowhere in my research.  Please help me.  Marty
Answer -
What an intriguing instrument!

Let me first say that my information base is in brass not woodwinds.  So, I may know just enough to be dangerous!

So, I'd be cautious about this horn.  It may be something rare.  But, it is likely that just an oddity.

The C Melody saxes were basically parlor horns in the 1st 3rd of the 20th century.  People who wanted to play along reading piano music desired them.  Dance combos also like them for the same reason.  That says nothing about the quality of the instrument, but only that they had limited acceptance.  (I've always wanted one.)

So, it seems most likely that it would be an early 20th century instrument.

But then again, European saxes were sometimes in C and F rather than the Eb and Bb here in the US. So, that would be another possibility.

Do you play?  If so, does it have a double (manual) octave key or a single (automatic) one?  The double is the older configuration.

Now, before going to the company, I also need to say that there was counterfeiting going on back in history,  (and still is) so it may be that some marketer tried to make it appear that a more famous maker made it.

Tribert is an old manufacturer of woodwinds in Paris from about 1810 and the brand name continued into the early 20th century though the company was bought by other makers.  They appear to be noted mainly for double reed instruments and made their reputation on oboes.  They also wrote letters protesting the business of Adophe Sax in the 1850's.  In the 1880s they were bought out by Gautrot, who was then bought out by Couesnon (1883).  

OK, on checking on Couesnon, it is stated in an old 1913 catalog that they did use the old names of companies that they had bought out including Triebert.  And, it appears they may have continued the practice into the 1930’s.

So, after all that wandering around, it would be my guess that this horn is one manufactured by Cousenon in the first third of the 20th century.

Thank You so much for responding so quickly...  I just talked to my father, who just turned 80 years.  The Brevete sax was given to him in Northern Wiscinson when he was 14 years old.  It is the double octave. He played it in highschool, then got drafted in the navy to fight in Battle of Okinawa.  He played it in a northern wi polka band and did a lot of wedding receptions and the like with it. I do not play, but now believe I will take lessons, it sounds beautiful. Marty  

Answer
Hi,

With this additional inforamtion, I think I will revise my estimate to an earlier date.  

I've got an 1889 Conn Baritone Sax that has the double octave key.  I'm not sure when they invented the single key, but I think that would be a clue as to the age of this horn. And, I don't suppose all makers would have adopted this innovation at exactly the same time.  

But, it now sounds like this horn could possibly even be 19th century.  

OK, I'm really getting out of my league now.  But, I think I would research the octave key aspect, and also the popularity of the C sax, in addition to the brand.  Saxes were not a very important instrument - in spite of having been invented in the mid 19th century - until the 20th century.  Jazz seemed to be the catalyst that brought them to the forefront.

Good luck.

kms