Civil War Period Eb Upright Alto Rotary Valve Saxhorn Made by E. Seltmann of Philadelphia

Civil War Period Eb Upright Alto Rotary Valve Saxhorn Made by E. Seltmann of Philadelphia – This rare, Civil War period saxhorn was manufactured, during the war, by Ernst Theodore Seltmann, a German immigrant, who set up a musical instrument shop in Philadelphia, in 1860. His manufacturer’s mark is stamped into the exterior bell of the horn and reads:

“E. SELTMANN

MAKE

PHILA.”

Research indicates that this mode or style of marking was utilized by Seltmann on instruments he made during the Civil War period. This horn, a rotary valve, Eb, upright, alto saxhorn is constructed of copper, with a highly tarnished, German silver, floating garland around the bell. As with most war era horns, this horn exhibits a characteristic dovetailed seam indicative of the war period process of construction of instrument piping. These horns were a mainstay in Civil War military bands, with the bells of the horns facing upward or backward, as the bands would march in the front of troops, thereby allowing the sounds of the band travel back to the accompanying soldiers who marched behind the company or regimental band. This horn remains in fair condition but does have some distinct condition issues: a remaining valve stem is principally non-functional; damage to the piston valves, with crude, soldered repairs; missing one valve stem and one valve with no stem or threaded cover; there is no mouthpiece, although these are obtainable. There are very few dings to the horn piping; the garland is slightly off the rim of the bell in one modest area. The over-the-shoulder horn, as used by Civil War bands, was the most distinctively American form of the saxhorn. Although there are some condition issues, this horn remains a very scarce example of a Civil War period brass musical instrument, created by a desirable, period maker.

Measurements: Overall length – approx. 27”; bell diameter – 7”

Ernst Theodor Seltmann (1828 – 1883) –  Seltmann was from Neukirchen, Saxony and had immigrated to the U.S., arriving with his wife, Theresa Elizabeth (née Maier, 1833 – 1906), at the port of Baltimore, on June 29, 1857, but listing their destination as Philadelphia. Establishing himself, in Philadelphia, as a brass instrument maker, Seltmann set up his business initially at 610 Callowhill St., in 1860, later moving to 810 Callowhill St., in 1863; his business flourished there through the Civil War and thereafter, until his death on June 27, 1883. In 1876, he exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Upon Seltmann’s death, his widow, his son Theodore E. Seltmann, and C. E. Doelling, his nephew, continued the business facing formidable competition from the likes of Henry Distin and J.W. Pepper. In 1886, Doelling married Seltmann’s daughter, Kathrine Gertrude.