Valve Trumpet

ca. 1845
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 680
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Valve Trumpet
  • Maker: Elbridge G. Wright (Ashby, Massachusetts 1811–1871 Boston, Massachusetts)
  • Date: ca. 1845
  • Geography: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Brass, nickel-silver
  • Dimensions: Height: 15 1/2 in. (39.4 cm)
    Diameter (Of bell): 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-trumpet / trombone
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Robert Alonzo Lehman Bequest, 2002
  • Object Number: 2002.388a–j
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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