Henderson N. White Co. Boehm System Clarinet

Description:

This clarinet was made by Henderson N. White Co. in Cleveland, Ohio around 1950 to 1953. It is a Boehm System clarinet in B-flat, Gladiator model, serial #FF982, made of nickel silver plated brass. This clarinet is engraved:

The
Gladiator
MADE BY
THE
H.N. WHITE CO.
CLEVELAND
OHIO

The H.N. White Company produced its “Gladiator” line of band instruments from 1940-1941 and 1950-1953. The “Gladiator” brand included cornets, trumpets, clarinets, and trombones and were high quality instruments at a lower price. An H.N. White advertisement from 1941 indicates:

“The constant increase in the number and sizes of School Bands has created a demand for a quality line of low priced AMERICAN MADE Band Instruments for students and beginners who cannot afford to purchase the higher priced instruments.

In response to this demand we have created the GLADIATOR Line consisting of Trumpet - Cornet - Trombone and Clarinet - each designed to give the student a better instrument in the low price range to enable him to progress faster and become a better player.”