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Originally Posted by bigaggietrumpet a presentation grade Boosey and Hawkes cornet made around 1911 or so. Would anyone happen to know if this is actually valid information? |
Impossible - Boosey & Hawkes only came into existence in 1934. Before that they were two different companies - Boosey & Co. and Hawkes & Son. Both of these made instruments, so it is perfectly possibly that it was made by one of these companies.
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2) I know Boosey and Hawkes was a real company. Anyone know if they were ever any good? Personal experience?
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The top end Boosey & Hawkes trumpets were very well regarded over here (UK). Used in a variety of situations from orchestra to big bands. I have an old Hawkes & Son Clippertone Bb/A (in fact I have two) which is just fantastic when taken up above the stave. Such a light sound, very easy to play delicately.
More recently (can't recall the dates, but I think it was around 1970ish) Boosey & Hawkes took over Besson and was found producing the Besson Sovereign instruments, primarily used in the British Brass Band scene.
There was also the B&H 400 - which was originally the Boosey & Hawkes student line, but they sold that off to another maker, along with the name. The quality was not great to start with and got worse. After a long battle The Music Group (the group that owned Boosey & Hawkes at the time) finally put a stop to them using that name a couple of years ago.