Sopranino Clarinet in E-flat

This clarinet features the Brille, or spectacle key (composed of two rings), patented by Adolphe Sax in 1840. It became the preferred clarinet key system in England during the second half of the nineteenth century and was referred to as the "simple system."

The Distins were leading manufacturers of wind instruments in London during the mid nineteenth century before Herny Distin sold the family firm to Boosey & Co. in 1868. As virtuoso brass players performing as the Distin Family Quintet and as instrument makers, the Distins played a vital role in introducing Adolphe Sax's instruments to Britain and the United States.
(Bradley Strauchen-Scherer)

Overall size: 479
Bore: c-hole 13.2; f-hole 13.2
Conical part: 105


Technical description: Boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keywork. Five pieces: Mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, lower section, bell. Blackwood mouthpiece not grooved for cord, made by Köhler & Son, London. Continental style barrel. Speaker liner does not project into the bore, but has an ivory chimney on the front of the instrument. Zig-zag speaker mounted between pillars. Sax’s spectacle keys on lower joint. F♯3/C♯5 lever has a brass guidance. G♯3/E♭5; F3/C5 mounted on one axle. Shaped thumb rest.

L0:   T; speaker.
L1:   T; throat A♮; throat A♭.
L2:   T.
L3:   T; cross E♭4/B♭5.
L4:   C♯4/G♯5; E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5.
R1:   T; side F4/ C6; side trill key for throat A-B♮ and B♭-C.
R2:   T + spectacle.
R3:   T + spectacle (forked B♭3/F♮5); cross B♭3/F♮5.
R4:   G♯3/E♭5; F3/C5.

Keyhead type: salt spoon.
Keymount type: pillars on plates.

Inscribed on mouthpiece "KÖHLER & SON / [upside down] COVENT GARDEN / [correct] LONDON", on barrel "E♭ / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LONDON", on upper and lower joint "1 / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LEICESTERSQUARE / LONDON" and on bell "1 / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LONDON"(Heike Fricke, 2014)