 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 01:31
Well ... I just purchased the Henri Lefebvre Rosewood Clarinet. Hope it turns out to not be a dumb purchase :-)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-11-20 02:34
I looked at your recent eBay purchase.
Aside from the cracked barrel (which wasn't very artfully repaired), be aware that the off-color spots on the upper joint may possibly indicate where pins were placed to repair past cracks. The photos don't give enough detail, but those marks look very much like areas that were pinned and filled.
Here's hoping everything is fine and you enjoy your new toy...GBK
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-11-20 04:39
It is my understanding that the H. Lefebvre clarinet is an intermediate level instrument imported by the Baxter Northrup company in Los Angeles in the 1950s. Some of these instruments would have been checked by Horst Moennig in that store. I have a bass clarinet of that make to low Eb which I like quite a lot but play very rarely. It has deeply undercut toneholes which make a complex register mechanism less needed but are more labor-intensive to manufacture in the factory. Good luck with it!
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-11-20 04:47
Actually, I believe that I have a Baxter Northrup brochure that covers the Lefebvre line of clarinets. Since I recently moved, it may be not easy to find it, however.
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 08:04
Thanks GBK. I do see the spots (though I didn't put it together in my head when looking at the pictures). It has some on the barrel as well. I'll check it out when it gets here. It's my understanding from corresponding with the fellow that I can return it if it's not to my satisfaction.
Wes, if you find that infomation I'd sure appreciate knowing what it says.
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 11:08
I didn't buy this clarinet as my only clarinet. I'm hoping my Noblet 45 Artist will be :-) With my level of playing I can't imagine a need for a real professional model. I basically will just be playing in our little group in church (with whom I play my Ocarina). But, for some reason I just was intrigued with this Lefebvre. Hopefully I won't become exasperated :-))
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-11-20 16:46
It's good to be made aware that this piece was imported by Baxter Northrup. As you may have gleaned from my posts on the other thread, I had become convinced that it was made by nobody at all. 
Regards,
John
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 17:13
So John, is that a good thing that it was imported by Baxter Northrup or a not-so-good-thing? I tried looking up Baxter Northrup on the web but I don't think I found anything that was helpful.
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 17:50
Update: I just talked with the antique dealer. He's a very nice guy. He said if I'm not completely satisfied when I get it that he'll be happy to refund my purchase amount. Thought that was very nice. He mailed it out this morning. Should have it maybe by Saturday. It'll be interesting ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-11-20 18:18
Baxter & Northrup was a big music store in L.A. (I don't know the timeframe but others here have posted the info previously) which imported quite a few brands and put their stamp on them --- I overhauled a German-made Horst Moennig bass clarinet a couple of years ago (a real dog, by the way) also labelled "Baxter & Northrup, Los Angeles". I don't know if this helps much....
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-11-20 18:22
Current address:
Baxter Northrup Music
14534 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 788-7510
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 20:07
I hope I'm not driving you all nuts with this thing! I know I sure am driving myself crazy with this ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
I did write to shwoodwind@gmx.co.uk (Stephen Howard) and got a reply.
This is what he said:
Although I've worked on Lefevre clarinets in the past, I don't
remember that much about them. I can tell you that the maker was highly respected, and the company was active ( if I remember rightly ) from the early 18th century though to the mid 19th century. Of particular interest was a modified Boehm system clarinet they
made.
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-20 20:09
I called Baxter Northrup, but they didn't know much. Nice guy though. It's been too long ago.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-11-20 20:49
Rev: Steve Howard is a super guy with good knowledge aand willing to take time to share that knowledge. But note that he is writing of "Lefevre," not "Lefebvre." Lefèvre did go away in 1855, and his 1853 Clarinet did have a lot of features similar to the Boehm. So while I agree with Steve, especially on the make's being around until mid-19th century, he's *not* writing about the manufacturer of your Clarinet.
One thing noteworthy is that your Clarinet is marked "Henri Lefebvre de l'Opera," and Henri was a Clarinetist with the Paris Opera. However, a) I don't know the span of years when he played at the Opera, and b) I still have found nothing to connect him with any instrument manufacturing.
Perhaps Baxter Northrup simply paid Lefebvre to have his name on some of the Clarinets they sold? This is plausible, as Baxter Northrup has been in business since 1906, and a recording of Lefebvre playing in 1913 is now available on CD.
Regards,
John
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