Clarinet in A. Ebonite body with nickel plated ferrules, mouthpiece cap, ligature and keywork. Circular key covers with leather pads. Cork lapped tenons. Clinton-Boehm system fingering. Low A key has complete cover instead of a ring key. Reed present. Mouthpiece cap stamped: MADE IN ENGLAND; Mouthpiece stamped: Boosey & Hawkes Ltd/MAKERS/LONDON/926; Body joint stamped: BOOSEY & Co./MAKERS/LONDON/16315; Bell stamped: Guarenteed/British Made
One of a pair with 2004.967. The clarinet was the most important woodwind instrument made by Boosey & Hawkes. During the early 20th century, Boosey & Co. Works Manager David James Blaikley collaborated with several London orchestral players to develop new clarinet models. These instruments were designed with George Arthur Clinton, clarinettist in the Crystal Palace Orchestra and Philharmonic Society, and Royal Academy of Music professor. They are made from ebonite, a product of the vulcanization of rubber with sulphur. Ebonite was less prone than wood to cracking or warping when exposed to humidity and temperature changes, but over long periods of time ebonite undergoes severe decomposition through the action of air, light and humidity. For this reason, these instruments are displayed in a specially sealed case.
