c. 1898 Conn Wonder Valve Alto Trombone GL-070_A4-11

Sep 16

Written By Zoe Larson

Title: Valve Alto Trombone

Maker: C. G. Conn

Model: Wonder

Date: c. 1898

Geography: Elkhart, Indiana and Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Material: Brass

Serial Number: 33015

Accession Number: GL-070_A4-11

Provenance: Founding Greenleaf Donation from Conn Museum, 1969

Description

Key: E-flat

Pitch: High

Finish: Silver-plated

Lacquer: Yes, likely

Engraving: Engraved bell with “MADE BY / C. G. Conn / ELKHART / IND & / WORCESTER / MASS” surrounded by five-leaved plants and flowers. Both the foliage and text are engraved with stippled and zigzag marks.

Mouthpiece: TBD

Accessories: No

Case: No

Notes:

Three piston valves with mother-of-pearl valve caps.
Second valve case stamped with the serial number and “PAT JUNE / 15 1886” (approximation, partially illegible) near the bottom.
One water key
Although this instrument’s serial number (33015) suggests that it was made in 1890 based on online Conn serial number lists, we compared it to trombones in C. G. Conn’s Truth documents and catalogs and believe this instrument’s date is closer to c. 1898.