Boston Musical Instrument Company
Encyclopedia
The Boston Musical Instrument Company was an American manufacturer of brass band
instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries located in Boston
, Massachusetts
.
, Massachusetts
(established in 1841) and Graves & Co. of Winchester
combined to form the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury located at 71 Sudbury Street, Boston
. The partnership included Elbrdige G. (EG) Wright, Samuel, William and George Graves, and Wright’s "practical partners" Henry Esbach and Louis Hartman.
E.G. Wright left the company shortly thereafter to join the firm of Hall and Quinby (established by David Hall in 1862) which became The Hall Quinby Wright Company until Wright’s death in 1871. In the 1869 Catalogue announcing the formation of the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury, an opening letter to customers cautions against any firms that might “advertise in the old name in order to enhance the value of inferior instruments”. The continued use of E.G. Wright & Co. tools, patterns and craftsman was assured in the same. Hall and Quinby would be bought by Thomas and Odell in 1884 changing its name to the Standard Band Instrument company and then again in 1909 by the Vega Company
.
E.G. Wright and Company had been founded in 1841 and continued as the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury uninterrupted at 71 Sudbury until 1902 when the name was changed to the Boston Musical Instrument Company. This change coincided with a relocation to 51 Chardon Street in Boston
. Two years later the company was purchased by Cundy-Bettony which continued to build instruments in the Boston name until 1928.
. The 1869 catalog shows a full line of such instruments including the traditional cornet
s in E-flat and B-flat, E-flat Alto horn
and horn
, B-flat tenor, B-flat baritone
, B-flat valve trombone and slide trombone, and tuba
s in B-flat and E-flat. Slide cornet was another option. The company also offered the full range of instruments in upright bell and over the shoulder configurations.
Initially, most valved instruments were offered in rotary valve
configurations with piston valve
cornet
and alto horn
being the only exceptions. The rotary valve
is a string operated dual-bored axial valve actuated by a lever pressed with the fingers. A piston valve
is directly actuated by downward finger pressure on the top of a dual-bored piston over a spring. Rotary valves were common in central Europe in the mid 19th century while piston valves were the preferred configuration in British brass band
s.
Among the American firms competing with Boston were the H.N. White Company, The Standard Band Instrument Company
, C.G. Conn, Ltd., F.E. Olds, E.A. Couturier
Co., Ltd., the Frank Holton Company and the J.W. York Company
. All manufactured similar full lines for band.
virtuoso Herbert L. Clarke
, author of many solos
for cornet
and successful touring soloist of the turn of the 20th century, purchased a Boston 3-star cornet
for his first horn. He purchased this horn after several months of saving following his graduation from high school
and relocation to Indianapolis
from Toronto
in 1884. The Boston 3-star cornets were popular horns of the day and are still respected by collectors and antique cornet
enthusiasts. These horns carried the inscription “Ne Plus Ultra” on the bell. Clarke
had learned to play on his brother’s horn and then had played professionally for a time on a band provided curtois
. Clarke
did not stay with the Boston for too long, changing horns and manufacturers many times in his career.
The company produced only 4000 to 4500 total instruments in each decade of the 1880s, 1890s, 1900s and 19-teens. Boston serial numbers do not appear on horns prior to 1880 and begin in the 6000s.
Around 1890 the serial numbers were in the 10,000 range, in 1900 the 15,000 range, in 1910 the 19,500 range, and in 1920 the 24,500 range. Horns built after 1914 (serial numbers 22,000 and above) were manufactured after the departure of the original owners from the firm.
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries located in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Corporate History
In 1869, the E.G. Wright Company of BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
(established in 1841) and Graves & Co. of Winchester
Winchester, Massachusetts
Winchester is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, eight miles north of Boston. With its agricultural roots having mostly disappeared, it is now an affluent suburb...
combined to form the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury located at 71 Sudbury Street, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. The partnership included Elbrdige G. (EG) Wright, Samuel, William and George Graves, and Wright’s "practical partners" Henry Esbach and Louis Hartman.
E.G. Wright left the company shortly thereafter to join the firm of Hall and Quinby (established by David Hall in 1862) which became The Hall Quinby Wright Company until Wright’s death in 1871. In the 1869 Catalogue announcing the formation of the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury, an opening letter to customers cautions against any firms that might “advertise in the old name in order to enhance the value of inferior instruments”. The continued use of E.G. Wright & Co. tools, patterns and craftsman was assured in the same. Hall and Quinby would be bought by Thomas and Odell in 1884 changing its name to the Standard Band Instrument company and then again in 1909 by the Vega Company
Vega Company
The Vega Company was one of an illustrious group of musical instrument manufacturers trading in Boston, Massachusetts at the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. The company first took shape in 1881 under the guidance of Swedish-born Julius Nelson, his brother Carl, and a...
.
E.G. Wright and Company had been founded in 1841 and continued as the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury uninterrupted at 71 Sudbury until 1902 when the name was changed to the Boston Musical Instrument Company. This change coincided with a relocation to 51 Chardon Street in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Two years later the company was purchased by Cundy-Bettony which continued to build instruments in the Boston name until 1928.
Products
The Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury/Company was a producer of traditional instruments for brass bandBrass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
. The 1869 catalog shows a full line of such instruments including the traditional cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
s in E-flat and B-flat, E-flat Alto horn
Alto horn
The alto horn is a brass instrument pitched in E...
and horn
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
, B-flat tenor, B-flat baritone
Baritone horn
The baritone horn is a member of the brass instrument family. The baritone horn has a predominantly cylindrical bore as do the trumpet and trombone. A baritone horn uses a large mouthpiece much like those of a trombone or euphonium, although it is a bit smaller. Some baritone mouthpieces will sink...
, B-flat valve trombone and slide trombone, and tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
s in B-flat and E-flat. Slide cornet was another option. The company also offered the full range of instruments in upright bell and over the shoulder configurations.
Initially, most valved instruments were offered in rotary valve
Rotary valve
A rotary valve is a type of valve in which the rotation of a passage or passages in a transverse plug regulates the flow of liquid or gas through the attached pipes. The common stopcock is the simplest form of rotary valve...
configurations with piston valve
Piston valve
A piston valve is a device used to control the motion of a fluid along a tube or pipe by means of the linear motion of a piston within a chamber or cylinder.Examples of piston valves are:...
cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
and alto horn
Alto horn
The alto horn is a brass instrument pitched in E...
being the only exceptions. The rotary valve
Rotary valve
A rotary valve is a type of valve in which the rotation of a passage or passages in a transverse plug regulates the flow of liquid or gas through the attached pipes. The common stopcock is the simplest form of rotary valve...
is a string operated dual-bored axial valve actuated by a lever pressed with the fingers. A piston valve
Piston valve
A piston valve is a device used to control the motion of a fluid along a tube or pipe by means of the linear motion of a piston within a chamber or cylinder.Examples of piston valves are:...
is directly actuated by downward finger pressure on the top of a dual-bored piston over a spring. Rotary valves were common in central Europe in the mid 19th century while piston valves were the preferred configuration in British brass band
Brass band
A brass band is a musical ensemble generally consisting entirely of brass instruments, most often with a percussion section. Ensembles that include brass and woodwind instruments can in certain traditions also be termed brass bands , but are usually more correctly termed military bands, concert...
s.
Among the American firms competing with Boston were the H.N. White Company, The Standard Band Instrument Company
Vega Company
The Vega Company was one of an illustrious group of musical instrument manufacturers trading in Boston, Massachusetts at the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. The company first took shape in 1881 under the guidance of Swedish-born Julius Nelson, his brother Carl, and a...
, C.G. Conn, Ltd., F.E. Olds, E.A. Couturier
E.A. Couturier
Ernst Albert Couturier was a cornet player, feature soloist/headline act on cornet, composer, inventor and brass band instrument manufacturer.- Life :...
Co., Ltd., the Frank Holton Company and the J.W. York Company
James Warren York
James Warren York was a musician, businessman, business owner and musical instrument innovator. The "York tuba sound" is considered by most tubists to be the defining timbre of a quality instrument...
. All manufactured similar full lines for band.
Herbert L. Clarke
Noted cornetCornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
virtuoso Herbert L. Clarke
Herbert L. Clarke
Herbert Lincoln Clarke was a well-known American cornet player, feature soloist, bandmaster, and composer....
, author of many solos
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
for cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
and successful touring soloist of the turn of the 20th century, purchased a Boston 3-star cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
for his first horn. He purchased this horn after several months of saving following his graduation from high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and relocation to Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1884. The Boston 3-star cornets were popular horns of the day and are still respected by collectors and antique cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
enthusiasts. These horns carried the inscription “Ne Plus Ultra” on the bell. Clarke
Herbert L. Clarke
Herbert Lincoln Clarke was a well-known American cornet player, feature soloist, bandmaster, and composer....
had learned to play on his brother’s horn and then had played professionally for a time on a band provided curtois
Antoine Courtois
The Antoine Courtois company was founded in Paris in 1789. The company's current name comes from the name of one of the founder's children who created the brand name in 1803. The company has been a leading manufacturer of brass instruments ever since, particularly saxophone, trumpet, cornet,...
. Clarke
Herbert L. Clarke
Herbert Lincoln Clarke was a well-known American cornet player, feature soloist, bandmaster, and composer....
did not stay with the Boston for too long, changing horns and manufacturers many times in his career.
Volume and serialization
The Boston Musical Instrument Manufactury/Company was a low volume producer by modern standards.The company produced only 4000 to 4500 total instruments in each decade of the 1880s, 1890s, 1900s and 19-teens. Boston serial numbers do not appear on horns prior to 1880 and begin in the 6000s.
Around 1890 the serial numbers were in the 10,000 range, in 1900 the 15,000 range, in 1910 the 19,500 range, and in 1920 the 24,500 range. Horns built after 1914 (serial numbers 22,000 and above) were manufactured after the departure of the original owners from the firm.
External links
- http://www.musictrader.com/boston.html Lars Kirmser's Musictrader.com, Boston Musical Instrument Serial Numbers
- http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/cornet.htm The Boston Cornet Project, Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works