Title: Cornet

Maker: C. G. Conn

Model: Victor 80A

Date: 1922

Geography: Elkhart, Indiana, United States

Material: Brass

Serial Number: 192831

Accession Number: GL-040_A1-40

Provenance: unknown

Description

Key: TBD (may be B-flat)

Pitch: TBD

Finish: Gold-plated

Lacquer: No

Engraving: Engraved bell with “VICTOR / C. G. Conn Ltd. (cursive) / ELKHART IND. / U.S.A.” Elaborately engraved cornet, including the Greek mythology story of “Leda and the Swan.” Includes nude Leda standing on a swan (Zeus in disguise), with her two eggs below (from which her children will hatch). Also a large head of a figure who remains unidentified. It could be a goat-like wind god or possibly the Greek god Pan. Or it could resemble Mephistopheles (a demon in German folklore).

Mouthpiece: TBD

Accessories: No

Case: Yes, but does not match instrument

Notes:

Star stamp (*) on second valve case indicates custom engraving or plating or both.
Has a different “quick change” mechanism, but the rods for it are missing.
“Opera glass” micro-tuning mechanism
Mother-of-pearl valve caps; valve case bottoms are missing.
The reason behind the elaborate engraving on this cornet remains unknown. We do know that it’s not the only Conn cornet with the same Leda-swan-eggs-mysterious-head engraving. Different engravings with Greek mythology themes appear occasionally on Conn instruments.