Klarinet Archive - Posting 000154.txt from 1997/01

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: antique clarinet :-)
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 1997 08:14:58 -0500

>Hello, and happy belated new year! I don't know if anyone can help me; I
>don't even know if my messages get posted--no one ever answered my last
>two questions...but anyway, I have a question regarding a Christmas
>present I received. My parents bought and had refinished for me a
>clarinet they had found at some place that deals in antique guitars. It
>is silver-plated, and I believe the keys may be solid silver. The keys
>and fingerings are all the same as a regular wooden Boehm model, but the
>actual body of the clarinet is very narrow in diameter. It plays in the
>key of Bb and the tone is basically the same as that of an older wooden
>clarinet. It is made all in one piece except for a small piece that is
>placed at the very top in order to fit the mouthpiece. On the bell of
>the clarinet is printed "The Elkhart" in a heart-shaped design, and
>underneath is printed: Elkhart, Indiana. No other brand identification
>is given. I think this clarinet dates back somewhere in the 1920's or
>30's, but I would like to have a more accurate date. The serial number
>is 26---. If anyone has any idea of when this instrument was
>manufactured, I'd appreciate it if you would reply to the list. Thanks a
>lot and happy Klarinetting!
> Lyndsey Thornton

Lyndsey,
I don't know anything about your clarinet, but the the fire hose
valve down the hall from my lab, here, has the same symbol! I can't assume
that they were made by the same company, as the valve is also marked
"Elkhart Brass Works" (trumpet manufacturer, perhaps?). This IS a
coincidence, though, as I think this building was manufactured at the SAME
TIME AS YOUR CLARINET! Maybe the company was originally the Elkhart Brass
and Woodwind Works, manufacturing things that burn and things that will put
out the fires, also?
Good luck finding a REAL answer to your question!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu