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11 keys. Milhouse enjoyed a good reputation as a maker of fine bassoons, and supplied instruments to church and military bands all over Britain. This instrument also bears the stamp of a Dublin instrument dealer. Lent by J.W.Phillips. (Shaw-Hellier Collection).
Bassoon
W Milhouse
London
Europe
England
United Kingdom

Instrument Information

Title

Bassoon, nominal pitch: C

Accession Number

3317

Collection

MIMEd; Shaw-Hellier Collection

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1840

Period

19th century; 1830s; 1840s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Woodwind case 2

Maker Information

Maker Name

W Milhouse (b.1761, d.1835)

Maker Biography

The Milhouse family comprised Richard (1724-1775) a wood turner, his two sons, Richard (again) and William (1761 - 1835), and William’s son (yet another) Richard. The workshop, established by William in Newark, London, flourished between 1787 and 1840, and the above mark was used between 1835 and 1840 so this instrument dates from the end of William’s life. He and his son were ‘Manufacturer(s) [of woodwind instruments] to their Royal Highnesses The Dukes of Kent and Cumberland’.

Made In

City

London

Country

England

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Maple with brass keywork and ferrules; heavy brass crook. Ivory or bone bushed thumb hole for L0. Flared type bell.

L0: T; B♭; harm 3; harm 1; harm 2; D; E♭.
L1: T.
L2: T.
L3: T.
L4: C♯.
R0: T; E♭; F♯.
R1: T. R2: T.
R3: T.
R4: F; A♭.

The third harmonic key is a later addition to the wing, which itself is not original. The long joint is chamfered to accommodate a small hand.

Signature / Marks: Stamped on long joint "W. MILHOUSE / LONDON / 337 / OXFORD / STREET" also "D / CORCORAN / 20 ESSEX QUAY / DUBLIN" / unicorn head (obliterating other stamp); also near base of butt "W. MILHOUSE / LONDON"; the wing not stamped.

Specific literature references: D.J. Blaikley et al. 1900, irem C199; Galpin, Hill et al. 1909, p.197.

Current ownership: Lent by J.W. Phillips.

Provenance

Formerly on loan to the Collection. ; Accepted in lieu of inheritance tax by HM Government in 2025 from the estate of John William Phillips and allocated to The Musical Instrument Collection, University of Edinburgh

Classification

Instrument

Bassoon/Bassoons/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Bassoon

Instrument Family

Wind

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

422.112 ; musical instrument