Elkhart, Indiana
E. G. Conn

Metals
ca.  1889 
Length w/o MPC: 16 inches
Wind Instruments – Woodwind Instruments – Single Reed

Engraved Stamp On Bell:   MADE BY / C. G. CONN / ELKHART / IND  Serial Number:  1311

The first successful metal clarinet was made by C. G. Conn and patented in 1888. The Conn “Wonder” was a double-walled Albert system clarinet that went to market in 1889 with 2000 units featuring two standard finishes.  This one has the nickel-plated and polished finish. It is also, one of the first with a serial number of 1311 and is in excellent condition. The Albert system of key work and fingerings was developed by Eugène Albert, a pupil of Adolphe Sax, who made changes and improvements to the keywork designed by Iwan Muller in 1809. Although the Albert System, often referred to in Great Britain as the “Simple System,” is considered outdated by most modern clarinetists, it still is the instrument of choice for many playing traditional New Orleans style jazz. These clarinets have a fabulous tone, but were high pitched, playing a little less than a half-step above the modern normal pitch.  This Conn double-wall clarinet in Eb has 13 keys and is made of two thin tubes of metal (hence the name, double-wall clarinet). Eventually this clarinet was superseded by ebonite clarinets.  I understand from my conservator, these are next to impossible to repair due to the double wall.  This instrument came with its original mouthpiece, ligature, and cap.

Resource: Margaret Downie Banks, “C.G. Conn’s Double-Wall Wonder Clarinets”: http://collections.nmmusd.org/Clarinets/Conn/DoubleWall/ Clarinets/ConnDblWallClarinetsBanks.html