Last April 10, I provided a comparison from a vintage catalogue, of European saxophone prices. This was possible thanks to rather large number of files I was sent from a fellow in Europe. Among the files I was sent, were 4 pages from a 1950s Lindberg catalogue. At the time, the Munich-based company claimed to be the largest distributor of musical instruments in Germany.
Lindberg catalogue celebration of Hohner
In their catalogue, the company also stated that they were the largest Hohner distributor in Germany.
The Hohner President
Since Hohner was more well known for its accordions and harmonicas, it’s not surprising that Lindberg chose to adorn its catalogue cover with an image of a woman playing one of these instruments, rather than a Hohner President saxophone. However, page 50 illustrates the President, and provides the prices for the various finishes.
The features of the Hohner, especially the G# trill key, indicate that this catalogue is from the early to mid 1950s, since Hohner dropped the G# triller in approximately the middle of that decade. But I’ve got to tell you, the upside down ligature is a classic touch. I really would have expected better from a mid-century, German photographic studio. :wtf: They did manage to get it right on the alto though. Well, they did have a 50/50 chance. 
Like Jörgensen, the large mail-order business I wrote about in April, Lindberg also sold the other Keilwerth brother’s saxophones. However, Lindberg only sold Julius’ The New King, and those only in alto and tenor varieties.
The New King by Keilwerth
Anyone else notice the mistake in the Lindberg catalogue? It seems that they accidently placed a photo of the Hohner President alto on the JK page, and ID’d it with the model number of the nickel plated The New King alto. 😳 Good help is apparently hard to find.
To make the comparison of prices easier, I’ve compiled them together in the following charts. These prices are in Deutsch Marks (DM).
Alto
|
Silver Plated with Gold Wash Bell |
Nickel Plated |
Lacquered |
Luxury Case |
Case with Felt Lining |
|
|
Hohner President |
522 |
504 |
504 |
50 |
n/a |
|
Keilwerth The New King |
474 |
459 |
459 |
n/a |
42.90 |
Tenor
|
Silver Plated with Gold Wash Bell |
Nickel Plated |
Lacquered |
Luxury Case |
Case with Felt Lining |
|
|
Hohner President |
621 |
594 |
594 |
60 |
n/a |
|
Keilwerth The New King |
564 |
540 |
540 |
n/a |
52.80 |
The Lindberg catalogue and the Jörgensen Musikversandhaus catalogue, show the same thing
What is immediately noticeable from these Lindberg catalogue pages, is that the Hohner Presidents cost more than JK’s The New King. This likely won’t come as a surprise to some people—especially to those who have read my previously mentioned article on the Jörgensen Musikversandhaus.
Hohner President saxophones were expensive instruments. They were built by master craftsmen, and were extremely well made. Proof of this is that they are among the best built vintage saxophones surviving to this day. When I see one that has been abused, or has met its untimely end, I feel very sad, because a piece of saxophone history, and just as importantly, a unique saxophone sound, has been lost forever.
If you have not had the chance to play a Hohner President, you don’t know what you’re missing. But if you have, then you likely know what I’m talking about. These horns are not for everyone, but for those players who know them, and have spent the time learning exactly how to make them sing, there is no horn like them.
More sources of info
If you’re interested in learning more about Max Keilwerth’s Hohner Presidents, check out the page I have about the brand on my website. Looking for pics? The gallery portion of my site has what is likely the largest number of online Hohner images compiled together in one spot (1854 at the time of writing).
If on the other hand, you’re more interested in Julius Keilwerth’s vintage saxophones, I offer up the following resources for further information:
- My site’s JK Graslitz page;
- My site’s JK Nauheim page;
- My site’s crazy-stupid, big JK gallery of images (5843 at the time of writing);
- The original Saxpics JK info page (further pages accessed through drop-down menu in top, centre, navigation box.)
:top: tengo un saxo hohner recien restaurado como comunicarme para mandarles fotos
Hello antonio.
You can send photos to my email at: bassic.sax.ca@gmail.com
Linberg are still going – still on Sonnenstrase, but now at no. 15 now called Hieber-Lindberg. Have been in a few times. Wonderful place.
http://www.hieber-lindberg.de/Home.html?gclid=CPaTwPqIhboCFYm_3godijsAdg
@Paul: I hadn’t seen that. Ah, the innocence of 1950s. When a middle finger was just a middle finger, and using it to denote anything, didn’t result in a shooting, stabbing, assault, or other form of :fan:
@Mark: That’s actually what I meant. Oh so close. My editor was obviously not doing her job very well that morning. 😉
@MontyMac: Didn’t you know about those? Hohner made these über rare, über collectible, left handed saxophones upon request. They are highly sought-after vintage saxophones that are worth 100 times what a 5-digit Selmer tenor is worth today.
@Mal-2: You know, that’s true. I’ve been known to do the same thing sometimes. But in this case, I suspect that the photographer put the thing together, or perhaps someone from Hohner, who didn’t work in the saxophone dep’t.
It had the same meaning in the 1950s that it does now. To quote the Wikipedia article on “The finger”:
The gesture dates back to Ancient Greece and was also used in Ancient Rome. Historically, it represented the phallus. In some modern cultures, it has gained increasing acceptance as a sign of disrespect, and has been used by music artists, athletes, and politicians. Many still view the gesture as obscene.
Interesting. Thanks. I did not know this bit of middle finger trivia.
In the defense of the inverted ligature, that’s how I leave that type of ligature when there’s no reed on the mouthpiece. It keeps the table from getting scratched. Since I’m probably not the first one to think of this, maybe there’s no reed on it — or maybe the person setting it up didn’t put a reed on it and the photographer did, but with no idea how it was supposed to be done.
In addition to the Upside Down Mouthpiece faux pas: the artist who created the cover art got everyone in the band right EXCEPT THE SAX PLAYER! That is, of course, unless Hohner was making left-handed saxophones and they just never caught on.
Playing it mirrored would be nothing compared to this:
http://i.minus.com/izyuqbwYKNQEG.gif
The whole Tenor mouthpiece is upside down like some of your favorite album covers 😉
I love how the (rotary valve) trumpet player on the cover is flipping us the bird.