When I first saw the ad for this poor thing, I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry. This antique Orsi baritone looks like it has spent most of its life languishing on a wall in a bar or restaurant somewhere.
Source: eBay.com
Here is how the seller of this poor neglected bari describes it:
Ships to US addresses only because of size.
Vintage Orsi Baritone Saxophone.
You will never see this one again.
Sax has a mirror finish. It will be incredible when restored.
No dents!
This sax is hardly different than the first sax.
Engraving says Prof. ROMEO ORSI Orsi Milano
Year 1870 According to my research.
Includes Mouthpice and Cover.
This is not some sax found in the barn. It is in good mechanical condition, nothing missing or bent. If you changed the pads it would play.
Sold AS-IS
Happy Bidding!!!
Like all the very early baritones, this sax has a non-detachable neck.
Source: eBay.com
The screw for the lyre holder is missing. Not really surprising, or a big deal, but hopefully the only piece missing off the sax.
Of course water keys—otherwise known as spit valves—were not put on baritones at this time yet. The player would have to tip the horn around when they’re finished playing, in order to drain the condensation and saliva out.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
The horn is keyed from low B to high Eb.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
It’s hard to tell from this photo, but it appears that this bari might have had some dent work done in the bow area. This could also be an artifact of the photography. One can’t be sure without seeing the horn up close, or without larger, better photos.
Source: eBay.com
Unfortunately the seller has posted no photos of the right lower portion of the horn, so we can’t see what the lower stack, palm, and pinkie keys look like. We also can’t see what condition the baritone is in on that side.
As I said, when I first saw the ad, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh at the seller’s description “This is not some sax found in the barn” (are you sure?), or cry at what’s happened to it while not in the barn. I hope that whoever buys it is a true collector, and will restore it back to its original state and splendour.
The auction for this antique Orsi baritone runs until April 21. This is a reserve auction, and at the time of writing the reserve price has not been met. There are presently 2 bids on this bari. The high bid is $50.00.
Update: Now this one is a bit of a surprise to me. I must admit, I didn’t really see it coming. This antique Orsi baritone did sell. By auction’s end, 8 people had bid on the horn. The winner will pay $510.00 for this diamond in the rough museum piece.