If you’re a collector of strange and wondrous saxophone-shaped objects, then you’re likely be on the hunt for a Couesnophone—AKA Goofus—for that display cabinet of yours. Well if so, you’re in luck, because a dealer in the UK currently has one up for sale.
Source: eBay.com
Here is how the seller describes this antique curiosity:
ANTIQUE GOOFUS COUENOPHONE COUESNON BRASS INSTRUMENT
IN GOOD WORKING ORDER AND SOUNDS IN TUNE TO MY NON MUSICAL EAR.
LOOKS LIKE A SAXOPHONE.
LENGTH ABOUT 20″ OR 510MM.
IT IS DENTED AT THE BOTTOM BEND AND THE TOP BEND.
MAIN BODY AND KEYBOARD ARE PERFECT.
ORIGINAL CARRY CASE.
MADE IN PARIS, FRANCE
Unfortunately, as the seller points out, this example of a Couesnophone isn’t without its blemishes. However, all of them that have appeared on eBay in the last few years have seemingly required some body work as well as a restoration.
Source: eBay.com
The Goofus was manufactured by the Couesnon company, and is what is known as a free reed instrument. It is capable of playing more than 1 note at a time, and is actually more closely related to the harmonica, than to the saxophone.
If you’d like to read more about the history of this fascinating instrument, check out the Couesnophone page on the main portion of my site. Included there is a copy of one of the original patent diagrams, as well as some fascinating factoids, including one about a famous bass saxophonist who played the Goofus.
If you too would like to become a proud Goofus owner, you only have a couple of days left. The auction for this fine specimen runs until March 8. At the time of writing there were 8 bids on the horn already, with the high bid being £105.00. eBay estimates this to be $170.78 US.
Update: By the time the auction was over, this Goofus found itself a new home. This strangely name instrument had received 16 bids, with the winner paying £466.78—approximately $748.25 US—for the privilege of calling himself/herself a Goofus owner.
That was stupid I forgot to give the link to the auction yesterday. I think I’ll have to fire my editor. 😉
I’m sure if someone was interested, they would have found it on eBay. However, in case you couldn’t find it, here it is. My apologies.