This elaborately engraved presentation cornet was made in about
1900. It is the same as the first Three Star Cornets built nearly 25
years earlier, showing just how popular this model was. The
recipient of this cornet was Carl W. Schmidt of Alameda California
(a suburb of San Fransisco) who was a high school student at the
time and who went on to dental school. His father, Carl Sr., was a
dentist and we could speculate that this cornet was a graduation
present although nothing more is actually known. The mouthpiece
shown is a replacement, but it retains the original Bb and A slides as
well as one with a quick change rotary valve as well as the two bits
for playing in lower pitches.
As spectacular as this engraving is, it was not the most elaborate
Three Star cornet offered. Shown below is an engraved image from
Boston's 1887 catalogue showing what could have been ordered.
The last photograph by Mark Metzler, shows one owned by Tom
Meacham, also built about 1900, with a very similar engraved
pattern. In 1887, this cornet was available silver plated with gold
trim for $115 or all gold plated for $150. The plain brass Three Star
cost $55 and silver plated or German silver cost $65. It is 12 1/2"
long, bell diameter is 4 15/16" and the bore measures .472".
Click on images for larger views.
1900. It is the same as the first Three Star Cornets built nearly 25
years earlier, showing just how popular this model was. The
recipient of this cornet was Carl W. Schmidt of Alameda California
(a suburb of San Fransisco) who was a high school student at the
time and who went on to dental school. His father, Carl Sr., was a
dentist and we could speculate that this cornet was a graduation
present although nothing more is actually known. The mouthpiece
shown is a replacement, but it retains the original Bb and A slides as
well as one with a quick change rotary valve as well as the two bits
for playing in lower pitches.
As spectacular as this engraving is, it was not the most elaborate
Three Star cornet offered. Shown below is an engraved image from
Boston's 1887 catalogue showing what could have been ordered.
The last photograph by Mark Metzler, shows one owned by Tom
Meacham, also built about 1900, with a very similar engraved
pattern. In 1887, this cornet was available silver plated with gold
trim for $115 or all gold plated for $150. The plain brass Three Star
cost $55 and silver plated or German silver cost $65. It is 12 1/2"
long, bell diameter is 4 15/16" and the bore measures .472".
Click on images for larger views.
Boston Three Star Cornet, 1900
