Clarinet in C

Firth, Hall & Pond

ca. 1833–45 · Wood, ivory, brass · Musical Instruments

Technical description: Stained boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keywork. Six pieces: mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, middle section for the fingers of the right hand, lower section with keys, bell. Levers for L4, tone-hole and key for R4 mounted in a bell-shaped swelling. Long tenon English style mouthpiece of blackwood grooved for cord. Reed with label "Tone Superieur Fance" cut down to fit the mouthpiece attached with red cord. Waisted English style barrel. Speaker liner projects c. 2mm into bore. Guidance for zig-zag L4 levers. L0: T; speaker. L1: T; throat A♮. L2: T. L3: T; cross E♭4/B♭5 L4: E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5. R1: T; trill key for throat A-B♮. R2: T. cross B♮3/F♯5. R3: T. R4: T; G♯3/E♭5. Keyhead type: flat round Keymount type: blocks and swelling Inscribed on all pieces except for mouthpiece "FIRTH HALL & POND / N-YORK"; on upper section also "C" and on bell "FIRTH HALL & POND / FRANKLIN SQE / N-YORK". Decorative features: Bevelled G♯3/E♭5 touchpiece. Playing accessories: one reed (not original) and a string. (Heike Fricke, 2014)

Artist

Firth, Hall & Pond

Date

ca. 1833–45

Medium

Wood, ivory, brass

Culture

American

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Funds from various donors, 1983