Bell-up tenor cor. Nominal pitch: F, E, E♭, D, D♭ and C.

F. Besson

Photo by Dominic Ibbotson © The University of Edinburgh

Alternative Title

Vocal horn.

Instrument

Tenor cor

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

F. Besson

Place Made

Europe; United Kingdom; London; England

Date Made

Probably 1876

Description

Technical description: Silver-plated brass; bell-up wrap. With full original complement of 6 alternative tuning slides, the shortest two half-coil, the others 1½ coils; water-key only on (a) and (c); fitting for music card holder, complete with original lyre. Valve type: 3 Périnet valves, bottom sprung; alignment by key on piston. Serial number: 19662. Overall size: 422 perpendicular to bell face; bell 216. Sounding length: minimum 1782; overall air column lengths of tuning slides: (a) 256; (b) 363; (c) 495; (d) 647; (e) 768; (f) 913. Bore: mouthpipe at c 65mm from mouthpiece receiver (minimum bore) 9.2; m.t.s. at c 253mm from mouthpiece receiver, tuning slide bore 11.9; centre of valve cluster at c 600mm from mouthpiece receiver, v.t.s. bore (1,2,3) 11.9; at 891mm from bell end, c 14.9; at c 559mm from bell end, 21.1. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. 9.8 9.2. Valve type: 3 Périnet valves, bottom sprung; alignment by key on piston. Inscribed on bell "28 MEDALS OF HONOUR" within banner / monogram FB / "F. BESSON / BREVETÉE / 198 EUSTON ROAD / LONDON" / 5 pointed star, and "Louis Schreieer. / Sole Agent. / U. States." [mis-spelling of "SCHREIBER"]; on valve stems, side of casings, top and bottom caps "10", "11", "12"; on side of 2nd valve casing "10" / ellipse containing ["BESSON" / 5 pointed star / "BREVETEE"] / "19662"; on one tenon of each main tuning slide "62". Gradations on one tenon of each valve tuning slide. Lyre inscribed "F. BESSON / BREVETÉE". Decorative features: Finely detailed floral motif around inscription on bell. With original black leather case, showing more signs of age and wear than the instrument. Stamped in ink under lid "198 EUSTON ROAD / F. BESSON & Co. / MUSICAL INSTRUMENT / MAKERS / LONDON". Purchased by previous owner with and probably supplied by manufacturer with mouthpiece (4198); purchased by previous owner with and probably formerly also used with mouthpiece (4199).

Notes

R. Parks, 29.6.02, E. Mitroulia (bore), 25.9.05.

Measurements

422 perpendicular to bell face; bell 216.

Provenance

ex- Tom MacCracken collection.; on loan to the Collection.

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

4197