Received: Buffet Crampon et Cie Bb LP Boehm, 1859-1860s, Brass/ salt spoon

[modernicus]

Just came today from France!  Seemingly original mouthpiece to bell, all pieces marked, all key work present and not mangled!  Probably original case as well.  Will post pics soon (for real this time).  Almost a full set salt spoon Buffet Boehms now A, Bb, Eb.  I'll look for a C as well, they're around, but rare!  The last one that came up was more $$ than I could afford then, I recall it was a boxwood?  I accidentally didn't set my bid right and lost our on a boxwood Bb Boehm Buffet years back, it had square pad cups and I think nickel silver keys.  Would still like to find one!

Pics:  Some cracks, nothing catastrophic.  Seemingly all original sections including mouthpiece, all keywork there! No massively botched repairs- the upper joint bridge part is a fabricated replacement, a little crude but looks solid.  One barrel ring is cracked, needs soldered.  Not too bad!

[DaveLeBlanc]

How awesome. Lovely instrument. It will clean up very nicely, I'm sure. Shame about the cracks, but those are just about unavoidable at that age. A little CA and some delicate touch and you're in business.

[Windsong]

Just exceptional, Modernicus.  You always find the gems.  It has surely found its way into competent hands.  I look forward to seeing what you can do with it.

[modernicus]

Thanks, just HAD to have it! . I might have a pro do these really important salt spoons, I'm moving towards a different distribution of money vs. time these days.  They're at least being stored in good climate controlled conditions for now.  I'm wondering if I should donate them to the National Music Museum or something? .  My goal is to gather, group and preserve for these real treasures, what good are they just sitting in my closets, though?

[Windsong]

I hear you, Modernicus.

We are their stewards.  We are preservers of history.
I imagine we will do our level best to ensure they get into worthy, competent hands, regardless our prevailing relationship with them. 

Some become part of the family, and some are put away and out of mind for extended periods, or sold and forgotten by us, or at least give little recall.

Eventually, we all sell off some of the wrong ones, never to see them or their kind again.  An '82 Rosewood JTL still bothers my conscience.

[DaveLeBlanc]

I have considered donating to NMM or the Carlsbad Museum of Making Music. But at my (young) age, I'd rather have my own private museum display for the time being.

[LarryS]

Wowzer! String on the tenons too. I only normally see that on recorders

[modernicus]

I've received many clarinets from the 19th century with string on the tenons!   .

[Windsong]

As have I, and I would like to learn the correct technique for applying it, as I see it as a superior option to cork on certain tenons.