I seldom write about sarrusophones—in part because they are fairly rare—but there is currently a cousin of the saxophone family for sale on eBay. A seller very near to me, here in British Columbia, is seller this Gautrot Marquet soprano sarrusophone. If the instrument being a soprano sarrus isn’t strange enough for you, perhaps you’ll find the finish as peculiar as I did: It is silver plated with brass keys.
Source: ron_vdk on eBay.com
The only silver plated sarrusophone that I ever remember seeing before is this tenor by Evette & Schaeffer that appeared for sale on eBay in 2008.
Is the finish on this Gautrot Marquet soprano sarrusophone original? I wouldn’t want to say one way or the other since I’m not an expert on sarrus finishes. Compare the crispness of the bell engraving to that of the alto and soprano Gautrot Marquet bare brass models that appeared for sale in December 2011 and decide for yourself. Me, I’m a bit torn. Yes, it could have been re-engraved after a plating job. Or perhaps it is original.
Source: ron_vdk on eBay.com
This is how the seller describes this soprano sarrusophone by Gautrot Marquet…
Up for auction is this lovely Soprano Sarrusophone still in its original case!
I don’t know too much about it other than it’s “Extremely Rare” and in pretty good condition for it’s age. It appears to be made of silver plated brass. It was made in the mid 1800’s by Gautrot Marquet and bears his name and the words ” brevete s.g.d.g a Paris”. All of the buttons and springs work. There is some wear on the plating of the buttons.
The fabric in the interior of the case is quite worn. The exterior is fine with only a few little chips on the corners and edges. The latches work and there is a locking mechanism.( for which I have no key) There are also a few attachments in a little box.
If you have any questions feel free to inquire, I’ll be happy to assist.
Here are the photos of this intriguing antique instrument…
If this Gautrot Marquet soprano sarrusophone looks interesting to you, I can tell you that you’ll have to dig a little deeper than you would if you wanted to buy a vintage or antique soprano saxophone. The seller has this antique horn on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $3,800 US. That said, he is willing to entertain offers, but as of the time of writing no offers have been made on this interesting bit of musical history.
If you are interested in this Gautrot Marquet soprano sarrusophone, Pete Hales mentioned something when the alto and soprano bare brass horns appeared for sale in December 2011. At the time he commented:
….I’d think that these Sarrusophones could be French Standard pitch (A=435hz) or high pitch (A=457hz). I hope the buyers took this into account.
If you are interested in this horn, it would be worth contacting the seller before putting your offer in. If you plan on playing this sarrus with others, and it does turn out to be in anything other than A=440, you will be SOL, since the seller does not accept returns.
It is nice to compare it with this metal tarogato
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Rar-metallic-TAROGATO-Bb-sopran-saxophon-selmer-oboe-fagot-klarinette-buffet-/272289517614?hash=item3f65b8502e:g:EO4AAOSwOVpXcpmt
As it has a soprano saxophone like mouthpiece, it is not a double reed instrument, but they are both rare.
Have a V. Kohlert, Sons Grasistz, Bohemia Soprano Sarrusophone. Has a V31 mark on upperr bell ring. encased in a european style oboe case. dis joints at right and left hand and bell. No other markings found. Am interested in selling. Not played since new pads,corks and spring adjustment Does respond well.
Hi there Richard. Welcome to my website.
That’s interesting. I can’t recall right now, ever hearing of a Kohlert sarrusophone. (Maybe I have, and just don’t remember at the moment.)
Where have you advertised your sarrus?
There is a contrabass group that might be interested, because many of the players are sarrusophone players. I can pass on the contact info if you wish. Let me know.
I would love to see a Gautrot pad post-1868.
I’ve heard he patented in 1868 a stuff that could be a pad screw and resonator:
“March 1, 1868 — Gautrot received a patent for improvements which concerned interior bore dimensions, placement of tone holes, a newly designed screw-in pad, and a modified key placement system.”
http://www.saxpics.com/sax/docs/patent2/Saxophone%20Patents.htm
“1868 – Gautrot, Pierre Louis & Co.–devises screw-in pad system and
mechanism inside pad cup to keep outside of pad flat”
http://music.uindy.edu/bands/Saxophone_timeline.pdf
Regards,
Pedro
Have you seen the Gautrot patents?
I could not find them.
Hi Theo.
Sorry for the delay.
For some reason I received no notification about your reply.
No.
I haven’t seen the patent doc. itself; just read that timeline.
According to the first link, all those data was gleaned from Frederick Hemke’s dissertation on “The Early History of the Saxophone”.
Perhaps we could find a pic. in that dissertation, but I think Sarrusophone owners could help more.
Regards
Hi Pedro, thanks for the reply.
I checked the sarrusophone forums and restorations projects. But after 100 years of repadding it is hard to find one original Gautrot screw-in pad with pad flattening system, or remarks on the subject.
My guess… it is the first type of metal reflector, possibly enhancing the weak high notes of the instrument.
As I do not play the instrument I am not in a hurry to get answers, but when I travel through Paris it is a good excuse to visit philharmonic 2 (big Gautrot collection) and ask some questions on the restoration of these instruments.
Hey Theo.
Indeed!
Paris seems a good place to research about it.
Once I met a repairman and his Gautrot Baritone Sax.
As far as I remember, the horn ranges from low B to high D#, which puts the year between 1866 (when Sax’s first patent expired and makers such Gautrot began to make saxophones too) and 1882 (when Couesnon – one of Gautrot’s son in law – had his name added to the company’s name, changing it to “Couesnon, Gautrot et cie”).
So, there is a huge chance of the horn be a post-1868 one.
In that time I was not aware of this “screw-in pad system”, so, I did not care to take a look on the pads.
I will ask this guy about it.
As a repairman, he will be able to say if the “resonators” and cup mechanisms are the original ones or not.
Regards
Update: The seller accepted the best offer for this soprano sarrus.
If it is replated it is a very good job as the brass rings on the body are still like the original.
Therefore I think it is original.
I tend to agree with you Theo. But I wouldn’t want someone to buy it based on my thinking.
Aptly phrased, there is no 100% technical certainty in such cases.