 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TPeterson
Date: 2009-12-15 02:05
Hello Everyone,
I have an old Lefevre A Paris Albert system clarinet in Bb I found at a flea market a few years ago for about $40 dollars. At the time, it was even in the original leather case! (I had to get rid of the case though, it was literally disintegrating) There is no serial number, only the "star" Lefevre A Paris marking with the date 1900 stamped on the bell. Do any of you know anything about this maker? Someday I would like to restore the instrument to proper playing condition just for fun, but right now I'm curious about its history. Thanks for your time!
Tim
Tim Peterson
Band Director & Clarinetist
Ionia, MI
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-12-17 14:18
If it is spelt "Lefevre" it possibly is Francois Lefevre who made instruments in Paris from 1812 until 1855. His business was sold to Paul Bie and Rustique Noblet at that time. Bie ran it until (i believe) 1889 and was succeeded by A Thibouville. There is some reason to think the Lefevre name was still being used. EUCHMI has a Lefevre boehm from about 1890. If it is spelt "Lefebvre" it may be Henri Lefebvre - you can find something about that in the archive here. Any chance of a picture or two? is it a 13 key horn? and how many rings? BTW if it's spelt "A. Lefevres" fergeddaboutit! that was a name used by the US government apparently for unknown imported clarinets - could be a lot of things.
OTOH: it may just be a Malerne stencil (....just kidding)
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Author: TPeterson
Date: 2009-12-20 01:46
I will have to take a few pictures to post! It is most definitely spelled Lefevre
Tim Peterson
Band Director & Clarinetist
Ionia, MI
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-12-25 22:50
Thanks for the pictures. Your instrument was made by one of the successors to Francois Lefevre. The marque was in continuous use until around 1911 - maybe later. A. (Andre) Thibouville et Cie acquired it around 1889 and used it until 1905 or so when it passed to Thibouville-Creutzer who were the last to use it. Looking at the keywork I'm inclined to date it as post 1900, especially since it is LP, but there are others on this board who know more about keywork than I, maybe someone will chip in? From the pictures I'd say it's definitely a candidate for an overhaul
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Author: ned
Date: 2009-12-30 09:40
Tim,
This instrument has an identical layout to my 'mystery' instrument. Mine has been identified by someone in the know, as a Schreiber, although there are no markings on it whatsoever.
Our instruments are slightly more up to date (13 keys and rollers) than the standard 'simple' system (usually 11 keys and no rollers) although they are not as flash as the later so-called 'Albert' system clarinets such as were produced by Selmer and Buffet.
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