Klarinet Archive - Posting 000394.txt from 2003/07

From: Dan Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Greetings from Pine Bluff, AR
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 21:57:43 -0400

Had to come back on the list to thank whoever it was who suggested that
I visit the Band Instrument museum when I was in Pine Bluff. Well today
was that day, and the owner, Jerry Horne, was kind enough to open the
museum even though it is normally closed on Saturday. We had a
delightful visit and I suspect that he enjoys people who know something
about instruments, this as contrasted with tourists who happen to come
to the town and see the notice for the museum in the AAA tour book.

The collection is very remarkable and includes such things as a slide
saxophone, a Primer clarinet (made by O'Brion of the glass mouthpiece
fame) that probably cost $5 when it first came out ca. 1918 and was
designed for children with small hands), a bass saxophone with a nude
engraved on the bell (I polished it a lot with my hands), a
sarrousophone, etc.

Av Galper sold Horne much of his collection, including a left handed
clarinet prominently displayed, along with things I never saw in my
life. Horne is 71 and is wondering what to do with the collection in his
will. It's got to be worth 1/4 million dollars considering the breadth
of it. It would be worth a lot more if the instruments worked, but they
have been left to deteriorate so nothing plays except a few trombones,
and some wacked out multiple bugles (blow in one end and the sound comes
out of any of several flared ends depending on which key is pressed
down).

He even has a magnificent shofar or ram's horn used in synagogue
liturgy.

It was worth the trip which took me out of my way by half a day and one
extra night on the road.

I regret to say that Pine Bluff appears to me to be a city in decay,
what with the main street in serious distress of failed businesses. It's
very sad because, at one time, it was a very successful city.

But the band instrument museum is one of a kind!

Dan

--
***********************
*Dan Leeson *
*leeson0@-----.net*
***********************

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is supported by Woodwind.Org, http://www.woodwind.org/

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org