Saxhorn in C by T.E. Benoit, New Orleans
Thomas E. Benoit immigrated to New Orleans from France in
the 1830s where he was in the business of selling musical
instruments that he had imported from France. It is not known
if he is the same person that was in partnership with Piatet in
Lyon, France during these same years, but it seems likely that
he is a relative. He was known to travel back to France at least
once before 1850 and the business in New Orleans was taken
over by A. Elie & Chassaignac by 1857. He advertised in the
Jeffersonian Republican several times at least during 1846,
announcing musical instruments for sale, just off the ship from
France. This appears to be the earliest brass instrument to
have been sold in New Orleans that is known to exist today.
This Saxhorn was almost certainly made by Gautrot in Paris
and the name "Benoit" has an even more important place in
history than as a music merchant. In a patent infringement
case brought against Gautrot by Adolphe Sax in 1846, Gautrot
claims that he was importing the counterfeit Saxhorns from
Benoit of New Orleans. Among the evidence provided by Sax
is a letter dated June, 1843, in which Benoit is requesting to
purchase various brass instruments. This instrument looks very
much like Sax's earliest Saxhorns including the Berliner piston
valves.
As can be seen in the photos, this instrument came to me in
very rough and deteriorated condition. The interesting history
here makes this Saxhorn worth all efforts to preserve and
restore. It seems odd that this Saxhorn is pitched in C rather
than the more common Bb. It is well known that New Orleans
had several brass bands in the 1840s and we would expect that
they would prefer instruments in Eb and Bb. We normally
expect instruments in C to be for use in the parlor or church to
play along with the piano or organ and perhaps that was the
intended place for this one. This instrument is 15 7/8" long
with bell diameter measuring 6" and bore .429". The stamp on
the bell reads: "(T).E. Benoit/New Orleans".
Click on images for larger views.
the 1830s where he was in the business of selling musical
instruments that he had imported from France. It is not known
if he is the same person that was in partnership with Piatet in
Lyon, France during these same years, but it seems likely that
he is a relative. He was known to travel back to France at least
once before 1850 and the business in New Orleans was taken
over by A. Elie & Chassaignac by 1857. He advertised in the
Jeffersonian Republican several times at least during 1846,
announcing musical instruments for sale, just off the ship from
France. This appears to be the earliest brass instrument to
have been sold in New Orleans that is known to exist today.
This Saxhorn was almost certainly made by Gautrot in Paris
and the name "Benoit" has an even more important place in
history than as a music merchant. In a patent infringement
case brought against Gautrot by Adolphe Sax in 1846, Gautrot
claims that he was importing the counterfeit Saxhorns from
Benoit of New Orleans. Among the evidence provided by Sax
is a letter dated June, 1843, in which Benoit is requesting to
purchase various brass instruments. This instrument looks very
much like Sax's earliest Saxhorns including the Berliner piston
valves.
As can be seen in the photos, this instrument came to me in
very rough and deteriorated condition. The interesting history
here makes this Saxhorn worth all efforts to preserve and
restore. It seems odd that this Saxhorn is pitched in C rather
than the more common Bb. It is well known that New Orleans
had several brass bands in the 1840s and we would expect that
they would prefer instruments in Eb and Bb. We normally
expect instruments in C to be for use in the parlor or church to
play along with the piano or organ and perhaps that was the
intended place for this one. This instrument is 15 7/8" long
with bell diameter measuring 6" and bore .429". The stamp on
the bell reads: "(T).E. Benoit/New Orleans".
Click on images for larger views.
