Klarinet Archive - Posting 000846.txt from 1995/10

From: Scott Hirsch <wq@-----.COM>
Subj: David and Buffet Clarinet 737Z
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 1995 15:06:24 -0400

Dear David,
I also have one pitched in A, serial no. 747C1.
The serial number 737Z would be consistent with a Buffet-Crampon
clarinet made in 1907 but the O series was earlier in around 1900-900.
Bob Chesebro's instrument with the number 747C1 was probably made
around 1909. I take these dates, and my understanding of Buffets
strange way of numbering things, with a grain of salt.

The W. H. stands for William H. Cundy who died in 1914. I would guess
that the W. H. Cundy was used for about 7 to 9 years. Starting not
later than 1907 when Harry Bettoney (who worked for William H. Cundy
around the turn of the century) bought out Cundy in 1907. It would
seem these clarinets you detail are examples of instruments they
imported, perhaps in 1907 or shortly thereafter from Buffet.

Like Carl Fischer, they were primarily a music publisher but started to
import quantites of woodwinds. Prior to 1907, when William Cundy owned
the company, it was Cundy Music Publishing Co. and I believe he too was
importing instruments. They probably continued to mark instuments for
several months with the W. H. but in 1916 they had patented the name
Cundy-Bettoney and I would expect a different mark was used for the
occasion. Cundy-Bettoney Co. is reputed to have made more woodwinds
than any other company in the first half of this century (in U.S.).
In their best years they cranked out over 40,000 instruments a year.

The important point is not really who imported them but who made them.
I expect Buffet-Crampon was making an average of 2000 to 3000 clarinets
each year around the early 1900's. The marks Brevete are well known on
Buffet woodwinds but the U.G.D.G is curious. I think it is really
S.G.D.G. as this mark is common though I can't think what it could
stand for. I believe it could be puzzled out. Anyone have a guess?
My French is rusty and I was never good at it.

A quelle heure est-ce que vous vous couchez. I'm trying to remember
how to say it's my bedtime. Avoir.

Scott Hirsch, Editor fax = 1-509-935-6835
The Woodwind Quarterly e-mail: WQ@-----.com
1513 Old CC Rd. phone 800-450-1148
Colville, WA 99114