This clarinet was made by Martin Frères in Paris, France around 1878 to 1882. It is a 13-keyed Albert System clarinet in B-flat, made of cocoa wood with German silver ferrules and keys. This clarinet is stamped:
MARTIN FRES
A PARIS
B
John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. Martin Frères was one of the many brands sold through his shops. This make and style of clarinet (#5288), or “clarionet,” as listed in an 1880 J. Howard Foote catalog sold for $29.40.
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