Williamsport, Pennyslvania
‘Henry Distin MFG Company

Gold and Silver-Plated
ca. Late 19th – Early 20th Centuries
Length: 12.5 in; Bell Diameter: 5 in
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Cornets / Cornopeans

Engraved on Bell: SUPERIOR / TRADE MARK w/Eagle / HENRY DISTIN  MFG. CO. / MAKERS / WILLIAM SPORT. PA / HIGHEST GRADE / 14526.
Engraved on lyre and mute:  HENRY DISTIN MFG. CO. 
Engraved on the valves: #1 (61)  #2(17056 / 62)  #3 (63)
Engraved on lyre and mute:  HENRY DISTIN MFG. CO. 
Engraved on MPC: 1011 RACE ST. / W. SEEFELDT  / PHILA. /— PAT.JAN.23.94  (1894)

This Henry Distin Highest Grade Cornet made in Williamsport, PA., most likely from the late 19^th century was owned and played by William ‘Bill’ Kautz.  It includes A and Bb lead pipes, two tuning bits, an original Distin straight mute, cleaning rod, lyre, asymmetrical mouthpiece and the original horn case.  The gold washed bell, ornate gold trim, extensive floral engraving work, and silver plating make this not only a great sounding horn, but one to visually admire.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “The Distins first established themselves as instrument makers in London. Henry John Distin sold the family firm to Boosey & Co. in 1868 and immigrated to the US in 1877, first setting up shop as an instrument maker in New York and later opening the Henry Distin Manufacturing Co. in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1886. His innovative designs helped to shape cornet and drum making in America. “

According to Horn-u-Copia ‘An Index to Distin Instruments:’ – “There is some overlap of serial numbers during the move from Philadelphia to Williamsport.”  The engraved number on the bell is 14526 (checked and this is not a zip code as zip codes were introduced in 1963 and zone numbers in 1943).  This 5 number ID indicates that this cornet was made 1896-1897.  However, the engraved number on the second valve is 17056, which indicates that this cornet may have been released in 1901-1902.

ARTIST:  Trumpet player, composer and educator William ‘Bill’ Kautz has worked in a variety of creative music projects in Missoula and Seattle including work with Karl Blau, Michelle Boulé, Jen Gilleran, Cole Bronson, Jessica Catron, Jeremy Drake, Simon Henneman, LAKE, Michael Musick, Tricia Opstad, Naomi Siegel, Neil Welch, and as a leader/composer for his ensembles Crosstalk and Golden Mean. He also runs an active trumpet studio for elementary to high school students.

Bill is a DJ and producer of Something Else, a weekly radio program featuring creative, improvised and modern classical music and in-depth artist interviews on KBGA since 2017. He is also a former high school counselor and a proud father and husband.

Bill is a recipient of a 2023 and 2024 Montana Arts Council Strategic Investment Grant as well as a 2023 City of Missoula Public Art Committee Performance Grant.

Resources:  https://www.horn-u-copia.net/serial/distinlist.shtml  /  https://www.robbstewart.com/distin-eb-cornet  /  https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/503344