Orchestral horn

Thomas Key

(Note: Each icon above opens in a new tab.)

Instrument

Valve horn

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Thomas Key

Place Made

England ; Europe ; London ; United Kingdom

Date Made

1830-1840

Description

Overall size: Corpus diameter 305; bell diameter 290. Sounding length: segment lengths: from distal end of mp ferrule to centre of ferrule before tuning slide 305; from distal end of ferrule after tuning slide to bell segment 418; bell segment 875. Bore: m.t.s. 11.3. Bell wall angle at D=100mm, 24.0. Dia of mouthpiece receiver: crook receiver taper on body 12.6 11.9. Technical description: Orchestral hand horn with two early valves of unique combination mounted on tuning slide. Windway runs: crook receiver m.t.s. leg 1 (Stölzel) 2 (Vienna) m.t.s. leg bell. The first valve is a two semitone Stölzel valve of orthodox external appearance, though with a lateral shank to button bringing it within fingering distance of second valve, situated 50mm to its side. The second valve is an early double piston valve operated through a long rod situated parallel to and behind the valve loop. Metal construction: yellow brass with single seamed bell, brass garland, width 31. White metal valve buttons. All tubing seamed. Well finished butt join between intermediate and bell segment, presumably with internal sleeve. Valve type: One Stölzel valve, one double piston valve. Valve construction not accessible for inspection at present. Inscribed on bell garland "KEY / 20 CHARING CROSS / LONDON". Lacks crooks. Severe corrosion with many cracks in bell, though bulk of tubing appears sound. Surface protection conservation 1986 87 grant aided by the Scottish Museums Council. General usage of type: Would have been used as hand horn with plain tuning slide. Valves would have been inserted for certain chromatic uses, as indicated by such works as Meifred's hand and valve horn tutor. Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No. 261. Illustration references: Morley Pegge 1973, Plate VI; G.S. (1968) Plate XV (4).

Other Information

General usage of type: Would have been used as hand-horn with plain tuning-slide. Valves would have been inserted for certain chromatic uses, as indicated by such works as Meifred's hand- and valve-horn tutor.

Notes

P. Lewis, 1987; R. Parks, 09.02.91, 9.3.96.

Measurements

Corpus diameter 305; bell diameter 290.

Provenance

Purchased with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund and the University's General Council Trust.

Collection

Glen Collection ; MIMEd

Accession Number

0205

Related Items