Boussey-Erue France
Martin Freres (Brothers)

Grenadilla wood, metal 
ca. 1840s-1890s
Length: 22 inches; Bell Diameter: 2.75 in.
Wind Instruments – Woodwind Instruments – Single Reed

Stamped:  (Bee emblem) / Martin Fes. / A / Paris / (MF (monogram) / ‘C’

A Martin frères ‘Honey Bee’ Long Grenadilla Clarinet in C.  The Martin Freres began making woodwinds in France around 1740.  Then in 1840 the Martin Freres Societe (Brothers) Company was established in the city of La Couture Boussey, near Pair, France by (Francois) Jean-Baptiste (1817 – 1877), Claude Eugene (1819 – 1874) & Felix (1821 – 1896) MARTIN (surname).  They hand-manufactured flutes and clarinets until the 1890s.

This grenadilla wood clarinet has seven finger holes in front and a thumb hole in the back in addition to ten silver keys. The ligature at the top is made of silver metal as well, matching the connecting rings and bell rim. The instrument comes in five separate pieces.

This clarinet uses the Albert system which refers to a system of clarinet key work and fingering developed by Eugène Albert. In the United Kingdom, it is known as the ‘simple system.’  Today, it has been largely replaced by the Boehm system and Oehler system. However, some Big Band musicians and Jazz players still use a clarinet outfitted with the Albert system.

Resource: https://martinfreres.net/brief-history/