London, England – United Kingdom
Richard Bilton

Boxwood, ivory, brass, ebony
ca.  1832-1850
Length: 23.25 in, Bell diameter: 3 in
Wind Instruments – Woodwind Instruments – Single Reed

Stamped with maker’s mark on ebony mouthpiece, barrel, upper and lower joints, and bell.  The full mark contains “2 / BILTON / LONDON / 93 WESTMINSTER / BRIDGE ROAD.

This 8-keyed boxwood and ivory clarinet in the key of C is made by London, England instrument maker Richard Bilton, who was located and worked at 93 Westminster Bridge Street, London, between 1826 and 1856.  Richard Bilton began as an apprentice under J. Cramer.  The upper joint is marked: “BILTON FECIT LATE APPCE & FOREN TO CRAMER LONDON” to indicate his connection with this other well-known instrument maker. The clarinet features boxwood, an ebony mouthpiece, brass keys, and ivory ferrules.

The inventor of the clarinet is often designated as Johann Christopher Denner (1655-1707) of Nuremberg.   However, the first recording of the clarinet was made by his son, Jacob, in 1710.  These early instruments were usually pitched in C or D, and after 1770 were mostly pitched in Bb.