I’ve been watching a very interesting auction on the German eBay site for a couple of weeks now. The auction is for a rather rare horn: an Oscar Adler curved soprano with a detachable neck.
Source: schampus44 on eBay.de
I’ve done a fair amount of research on Oscar Adler saxophones, and have a page dedicated to the brand on my website. We know that Oscar Adler did make curved soprano saxophones. According to the information that I have found, their Odeum, Orfeon, Electra, Symphonie, Gloria, Eterna, Sonora, as well as their Triumph models all were available in the curvy model.
However, the range that this curved soprano has, doesn’t really fit into any of these model names. That said, often vintage sopranos and baritones had different ranges than their alto and tenor cousins did. Also, I have a large number of horns in my Oscar Adler gallery on Bassic Sax Pix, that don’t have any model names engraved on them at all. Since the catalogues that the previously-mentioned model names came from range from 1929-1932, it’s possible that the no name horns are pre-1929.
To make this mystery more intriguing, this Oscar Adler curved soprano doesn’t have any engraving on it to indicate that it was even made by Oscar Adler. All it has is a serial number (1908) and a stamp of an insect of some kind. It doesn’t even have the Oscar Adler logo on it.
Source: schampus44 on eBay.de
The mouthpiece though, is an Oscar Adler original…
Source: schampus44 on eBay.de
The reason I believe this curved soprano was indeed made by Oscar Adler, is because of what the seller writes:
Aus meiner Sammlung ein gebogenes Sopran. Gravur ein kleines Insekt und eine Nummer (siehe Fotos). Lt. Auskunft der Firma Mönning.-Adler gebaut zwischen 1918 und 1922, genauer ging es nicht wegen fehlender Unterlagen aus Kriegs- und DDR-Zeiten. Beigefügtes Mundstück Oscar Adler, Mülhausen/Th.. Ich kam mit diesem Mundstück nicht zurecht und habe das Teil mit einem Selmer geblasen. Koffer müsste Original sein. Kann sofort gespielt werden. Zum Angebot gehört das O.A. Mundstück und ein K+M Ständer. Alles Weitere siehe Fotos oder anfragen. Tonumfang von tief Bb bis hoch Eb !!!
Helen translate says:
A curved soprano from my collection. Engraving is of a small insect and a number (see photos). According to information from the Mönning company [After Germany’s reunification, Oscar Adler and Gebr. Mönnig were reprivatized, and now operate under the name Gebr. Mönnig Oscar Adler & Co. Holzblasinstrumentenbau GmbH.], this horn was built between 1918-1922. More precise information is not available because of missing documents due to war and GDR periods. Included mouthpiece is from Oscar Adler, Mülhausen/Th. The mouthpiece didn’t work for me, so I played the horn with a Selmer piece. The case should be original. Can be played immediately. The sale includes the O.A. mouthpiece and a K+M stand. For further details please see photos or enquire. Range from low Bb to high Eb!
Here are the remainder of the pics of this Oscar Adler (?) curved soprano…
True, we’ll have to take it on faith that the seller communicated with Gebr. Mönnig Oscar Adler & Co. Holzblasinstrumentenbau GmbH, or perhaps he/she would be kind enough to provide a copy of the communication to a serious buyer. I would be sure to ask for it if I was interested in the horn.
If this vintage Oscar Adler curved soprano with a detachable neck interests you, you have only a few more days to get in touch with the seller. The auction for this vintage curiosity is scheduled to end on June 29, and yes, the seller will ship worldwide.
Bids for this vintage enigma are to start at €1500.00, which xe.com estimates to be $2041.53 ATM. Yes, that is a rather steep price for somewhat of a mystery horn, which is likely why this Oscar Adler curved soprano has been around eBay once before—albeit with the same price.
With a + 100 serial number there is a Oscar Adler nino on sale in Belgium.
It is more primitive, without pearls, double octave key, from B to Eflat, no bis key, a F# thrill key. Imported by Louis de Leeuw from Zwolle. It looks like an instrument for a high pitch band.
No engraved insects just the full name and the importing compagnie. Do you need the pictures (jpg format) for Bassic sax pics?
Update: After a number of attempts without reducing the price, the seller finally pulled the pin on the auction. This curvy is no longer on eBay, and presumably has not sold.