Horns

 

9.1 - French horn | 9.2 - French horn | 9.3 - French horn
Terminology and Glossary | Cataloguing Standards
Catalogue number: 9.1
Original name: French horn in F.
Maker: Besson.
Place of origin: Paris, c.1858-1869.
Catalogue A puts 1820-74 as dates of making.
Overall size: 413mm (measured with bell facing down); bell: 27.9mm.
Technical description: Brass body with 3 Périnet valves. Seven crooks: 1. F, broad bore, may be original, four repair plates purfling on entry pipe matches the instrument; 2. F, medium bore, by Higham, Manchester, stamped ‘F’ on entry pipe, “J. HIGHAM L [?] / MAKER”; 3. F, medium/narrow bore, stamped ‘F’ on raised plate on entry pipe, heavily soldered repaired; 4. A flat (plays flat a’ = 437 Hz), no markings; 5. A flat, scratched on entry pipe “A flat [flat sign] HP”, matches crook no.4; 6. Semitone pipe inscribed “SEMI-TONE / L.P.”; 7. semitone pipe inscribed “SEMI-TONE / H.P.”.
Inscription: Engraved on Bell: “Approved / BY / HERR KŒNIG / GB / (inside floral design: BESSON / Breveté / 7 RUE DES / 3 COURONNES / A PARIS ) / JULLIEN & Co. / Sole Agents / 214 Regent Street”. Herman Kœnig was a famous cornet and post horn player.
Cases, etc: Wooden case, possibly original.
Faults: Numerous dents. Crack at the end of the main tuning slide.
Repair history: Numerous repair patches.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.
Illustration references: See below.
Recording references: Click here
Previous owner: Sir Granville Bantock. This instrument was used by Bantock when he was a student at the Royal Academy of Music, from 1888.
Previous collection numbers: A: Item 120.
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn
  • 9.1 - Besson, French horn

 

 

Catalogue number: 9.2
Original name: French horn in F.
Maker: Boosey & Co.
Place of origin: London, c.1929.
Serial number: 134672.
Technical description: Piston horn in F with F crook [stamped: “L.P” in circle]. Yellow brass body with 3 Périnet valves.
Inscription: On bell: “B&C / Lotone / REGISTERED / L.P.”; On bell rim: “Boosey & Co. Ltd [symbol: “trademark” in bugle over “Boosey”] Makers London / 134672”.
Cases, etc: Original leather case.
Faults: Bad dent on pipe where left hand rests. Corroded in places.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.
Illustration references: See below.

 

 

Catalogue number: 9.3
Original name: French horn in F.
Maker: Boosey & Co.
Place of origin: London, c. 1919.
Serial number: 105940.
Technical description: Piston horn with crook. Brass body, 3 Périnet valves.
Inscription: On bell: “B&H [Lotone?] / REGISTERED” (repair patch covers rest of inscription); on bell rim: “Boosey & Co. [motif] Makers London / 105940”.
Cases, etc: Original leather case.
Faults: Corroded in places.
Illustration references: See below.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 440 Hz.