Olds Mendez 1956 Bb cornet- prototype - Lacquered Brass

In the 1940's Rafael Mendez began a relationship with Olds.  He appeared in a number of ads and publications and in 1952, Olds introduced the Mendez model trumpet.   The new trumpet was  loosely modeled after Mendez' French Besson. The Mendez model has unique braces to all other Olds models and has accents reminiscent of French trumpets of the day.       

The Mendez cornet was not produced until 1956 after Olds had move production to Fullerton.  This particular cornet is the earliest reported in the Olds Register and is purported to be the prototype for this new model.

A previous owner stated that he had obtained it from a CMI employee, Michael Pozgay, who had accompanied Rafael Mendez on tours in the 1950s. He stated that CMI had gifted this horn to Sr. Mendez, who used it in a few clinics before giving it in turn to Mr. Pozgay.  There is no documentary evidence to support this, but the story sounds plausible.  Shortly after the Mendez cornet was introduced, Olds found it necessary to engrave “Cornet” or “Trumpet” on the bell so one could tell them apart. 

More about this is posted on Olds Central.

There is another interesting feature of this cornet. In 1956 Olds changed from the large shank mouthpiece receiver they had used since Olds began cornet production to the slightly smaller industry standard shank. The serial number Olds gave as the starting point was 189611, about nine thousand serial numbers later than this horn. This cornet, though, has industry standard smaller diameter receiver. Nine thousand horns amounted to about two months production in 1956, and Olds must have already been planning to make the switch. It may have seemed superfluous to design two different receivers for the new model when they knew the changeover was coming soon. 

This cornet comes with a standard shank Olds Mendez 1 cornet mouthpiece. 

This cornet shows wear to the lacquer but no signs of any damage or repairs.  Valve compression and action is very good.  All slides and triggers operate smoothly.  It comes with the original Mendez case in good condition, but with latches that catch, but don't spring.

FEATURES:
Lacquered brass
Nickel plated valves
First and third valve slide spring loaded triggers

Gold plated finger buttons

Unique braces and finger ring

Third valve slide dump end
Bore: .468"
Matching serial numbers on all valve spring barrels
New springs, felts and corks
Brass Valve Guides