c. 1867 Isaac Fiske Piston Rotary Valve Cornet GL-049_A2-09

cornet

Jul 21

Written By Zoe Larson

Maker: Isaac Fiske

Model: N/A

Date: c. 1867

Geography: Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Material: Brass

Serial Number: N/A

Accession Number: GL-049_A2-09

Provenance: Founding Greenleaf Donation from Conn Museum, 1969

Key: B-flat or E-flat

Pitch: High

Finish: Possibly silver plated

Lacquer: Yes. Gold bell may be lacquer, not gold wash.

Engraving: Bell engraved with “ISAAC FISKE / MAKER / WORCESTER MASS / PATENTED / APR. 29/73. NOV.12.1867.” No decorative engraving.

Mouthpiece: No

Accessories: No

Case: No

Notes:

No tunable lead pipe shank.
Rotary valves activated by pistons. Triangular valve arrangement.
Isaac Fiske of Worcester, Massachusetts was a well-known maker of excellent instruments. His factory was purchased by Conn in 1886 and Conn used the Worcester location as a secondary plant, until around 1898.
Fiske made several configurations of this cornet. It has an interesting mechanical scheme that may have been an attempt to attract customers transitioning to the more popular piston valve.