Maker

Thomas Key (17??-1853)

Dated/City

c.1828 / London (dated from English Silver Hallmark on the keys)

Descriptions

Rosewood, Ivory ferrules, 2 Original grenadilla wood mouthpiece with ivory ferrule on the base, Fourteen sterling silver keys with flat, round key covers; springs attached to keys mounted in blocks and saddles, integrated middle joint & lower joint

Full Marking

" KEY / LONDON / (unicorn head) / CHARING CROSS " : bell

Additional Marking

• " KEY / LONDON / (unicorn head) " : mouthpiece, upper joint, integrated middle joint & lower joint.

• " KEY / LONDON / (unicorn head) / # " : barrel

• " RP / GB / Symbol / n / Symbol / Symbol " "English Silver Hallmarks under f#/c#, e/b, and trill a/b keys

Length

 595 mm. / 534 mm. (without mouthpiece)

Provenance /

Ownership History

A.P. Duly, Queen's Royal Lancers, London 1820s

• The key design was advance for its time with roller feature on the e/b, f#/c# keys and separate enharmonic notes for throat Ab and G#.
• Mouthpiece with a socket design to accept the barrel with a tenon.
• Period commercial reeds by Thomas Key and (S.C.?) Taylor "(TK), TAYLOR/ LONDON"
• Original accessories; rosewood cleaning rod, rosewood reed case, rosewood with ivory ferrule wax container.
• Original rosewood hard case with brass name plate on the top "A.P. Duly / Queen's Royal Lancers "