Boosey & Co.
Thanks to Nadien L in the southwest of the UK for these pictures!
This evidently is before Hawkes came on the scene. Nadien has found that this dates from between 1906 and 1911. Clarinets around that time frequently had LP stamped on them, for Low Pitch (= A=440).
The location is stamped “London, 295 Regent Street.”
I love the rollers, and Nadien says this plays very nicely.
Rollers in these locations are extremely rare in non-French or German clarinets. Generally speaking, the French experimented with rollers in odd places much more than other places did.
The locations of rollers here are unlike any I have ever seen. This may have been a custom order or otherwise unique feature. Most clarinetists do not have any real need for so many rollers in so many places. Nevertheless, this makes for a very interesting and rare piece.
OVERVIEW
Pitch: Bb
Key System: simple Albert System w/rollers
Maker: Boosey & Co.
Brand Name: Boosey & Co.
Place of Manufacture: London, England, UK
Approximate Date: 1906-1911
Body Material: Wood
Bore Type: unknown
Key Metal: unplated, nickel silver(?)
Keywork Quality: unknown
Serial Number: unknown
Recommended For: museum display, or historical playing
Value: up to $400
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