Valve Trumpet

Elbridge G. Wright

ca. 1845 · Brass, nickel-silver · Musical Instruments

This trumpet can be set up in C, B-flat, A, or G. The model was developed around 1825-30 in Germany, and Wright's instrument is one of the last specimens built. It is equipped with Vienna valves of the Mainz type, operated with a latch action. Contrary to common usage, the first valve lowers the pitch by a half step and the second valve by a full step. Trumpets with a narrow bore, like this one, were also called cornets.

Artist

Elbridge G. Wright

Date

ca. 1845

Medium

Brass, nickel-silver

Culture

American

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Robert Alonzo Lehman Bequest, 2002