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updated 02.28.05 C.G. Conn Cornets
Conn was the most prolific of the U.S. brass manufacturers, and their instruments are very popular with collectors today. There was a great variety in their designs, and
even multiple variations within a specific model, such as the Conn-queror. Conns were beautifully made and often highly engraved – great examples of the brassmaker's art – which is all the more remarkable
considering that they were making far more horns than any of their contemporaries.
All images and text, ©1999 Nick DeCarlis/DECA Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Use of
these images to aid in the sale or auction of your similar instrument is strictly prohibited.
1879 C.G. Conn "4-in-1"
(8XX) This belongs to a collector friend; I just finished doing some repairs and spot silver plating to areas worn through to brass. This design is the basis for the 1878 Conn Dupont patent, and can be played in four keys: Eb, C, Bb and A. All of the original pigtail crooks and shanks were still with this cornet, so I have photographed it set up for all four keys, in order. Note that the three valve slides are pulled incrementally in addition to the the crook/shank changes.
I am very interested in purchasing a "4-in-1" (any condition) for my own collection, in case you have one or know of one which might be available.c1880 C.G. Conn "Clear Bore Vocal"
C/Bb/A (22XX) I recently restored this very early Conn, but as you can see from the "before" shots, it didn't need too much – mostly repair to extensive silver wear in the areas where held. The valves seal very well, and it plays very nicely. The "A" extension is missing, but can still be set up in "C" by removing the "ladder" extension on the leadpipe. The cornet was evidently made for ALFRED A. REID -- can anybody shed any light on Mr. Reid? My research has come up empty.
before restoration
NEW 1880 C.G. Conn Eb Cornet
(2XXX) This rare, early Conn Eb belongs to a friend, and I am currently restoring it for him. We have no idea if it had a model name. The first pictures show the condition as acquired. Click here to see
how it started. Click here to see it all apart
. After most of the repair work was done, I sent it off for a valve refit, after which I will replated the bare brass areas, and restored the gold trim as well. 1880 C.G. Conn "Besson Model" Bb
(34XX) Only recently identified as one of the "copy model" designs Conn made as early as 1880. They also had "Distin" and "Courtois" models. These were priced sigificantly lower than their proprietary designs. While raw brass, there is evidence of prior silver plating, probably a single layer as opposed to their optional "triple plated" finish of the time.
Before restorationNEW
1881 C.G. Conn Bb Cornet
(4774) Here's yet another early unknown Conn model, just acquired. I'm about to begin its restoration. Conn had some models early on that we have yet to associate with specific designs, as no illustrated literature has turned up from the pre-Wonder era. Model names included "Perfection" and "Ultimatum" -- if you have any early Conn materials that illustrate these or other early models, please contact me.
Before restoration
1883 C.G. Conn C/Bb/A Cornet (80XX)1887 Conn Wonder
(12,2XX) This is one of the earliest Wonder's I've seen, and is in Bb. Hard to see, but noteworthy, is the John Heald patent thumb trigger water key. Heald worked for Fiske before starting his own company, and Conn bought out Fiske.
before restoration
1886 C.G. Conn Ultimatum Bb
(12360) This is one of the most amazing restorations you will ever see, and was done by my friend Mark Metzler. This gold plated, presentation-engraved cornet was not only trashed, it was missing nearly all of its removable parts, including all three valve pistons, spring towers, stems, buttoms, and all top & bottom valve caps! Mark machined all of the replacements himself. Note also that the paper-thin bell was badly torn to start, and compare to the final product. After Mark made the reproduction valves, they were plated and fit by Anderson Plating, who also did the gold plating. Not only is this cornet beautiful, but I can attest that it is an amazing player as well.
1886 C.G. Conn, Worcester, Mass. "Wonder"
(12,5XX) This very early Wonder was built to play in C, Bb, and A at the old Fiske plant in Worcester, and does not include the usual "Elkhart" engraving found on most early Wonders. The restoration included reapplying gold to the details and bell engraving.
(before restoration)NEW
1887 C.G. Conn Parlor Model now restored
(13,XXX) This belongs to a good friend and is finally restored -- a joint effort by Rich Ita and myself. These are very rare, and I was amazed to find that this example, in its original condition, was a great player. Here are shots of the
horn as it arrived
, then the project in-progress and then, nearly completed except for spot silver and gold plating. The title link shows it after restoration.1887 C.G. Conn - Wonder (Worcestor) 13,5XX1892 C.G. Conn American Model Orchestra Cornet
(24122) This is a fairly rare model in the Conn lineup. It had an extra slide which could be pulled to one of three positions, and the main slide could be replaced by the unusual "C" attachment pictured -- thus it could play in C, Bb or A.
1899 C.G. Conn - Wonder (Worcestor) 54,3XX
1901 C.G. Conn - New York Wonder
C, Bb, A 70,9XX1903 C.G. Conn - Conn-queror
rare Configuration No. 1 77,7XX1906 C.G. Conn - Connqueror rare C/Bb/A model 96,2XX (gold plated)
Side-by-side comparison to
the usual Bb/A model which is larger1906 C.G. Conn - Conn-queror (page 1)
(page 2)
94,0XX (gold plated) 1907 C.G. Conn - Perfected Wonder 101,0XX with unusual Bb/A conversion mechanismNEW
1907 Conn "Wonderphone" C/Bb/A number 1 model (103,1XX) This is a really cute little horn, just 11" in length, which plays amazingly well. Considering that Conn only made Wonderphones over the span of a few
years, I'm surprised at all the different variations that exist. There were two main models, then many sub-models.1907 C.G. Conn - Conn-queror 105,7XX1908 C.G. Conn Wonderphone
106,0XX (version 1)
1908 C.G. Conn Wonderphone 107,9XX (version 2, gold plated) 1909 Conn Wonderphone
(115,2XX) (one of last made) 1914 C.G. Conn - New Wonder (Victor) 137,2XX
NEW Original "Gurarantee Bond" Certificate
NEW Original Care Booklet with specs, finish & price info –
front & back cover / inside pagesNEW
1918 C.G. Conn - New Wonder Victor Bb/A 165,7XX
Additional shots of the bell engraving
Shots of this project in progress
This cornet has extensive engraving by Conn's master engraver, Julius Stenberg which extends the full length of the bell, as well as inside the bell. 1930 C.G. Conn 26 "Director" (279,8XX) This is the earliest 26A I've seen so far, and is gold plated with extensive art deco engraving all the way
around the bell and down its full length. This model had slightly "taller" proportions than the mid-30's version. Unfortunately, it was poorly repaired & resoldered at some point in its life. I
just finished the repairs, and it turned out well. before restoration
1935 C.G. Conn - 40A Vocabell (page 1)
(page 2 - details)
303,6XX1937 C.G. Conn - 26A Director (page 1) 320,3XX
(page 2)
1946 C.G. Conn 80A Victor 360,8XX1947 C.G. Conn - 12A Coprion
371,4XX
1962 C.G. Conn 9A Victor Coprion (short model) 954,4XX1966 Conn 5A "Victor" short model (K000XX) The 5A was a seldom-seen short model cornet that has nothing
in common with the famous 80A Victor. In fact, the design is the same as the first model Wonderphone from around 1907 (see above). Additionally, this example is satin silver with gold bell wash -- something
Conn rarely did in the 60's.1967 C.G. Conn - 38A Connstellation (short) K870XXNEW Conn Wonder Advertisements - 1890s
Bb/A Model C/Bb/A Model
Conn Cornets - 1910
period photo postcards
Conn Factory - 1912 period photo postcard (interior)
Conn Factory - 1933 period postcard (aerial view) |
