Extremely Rare Gretsch Saxonette

I am offering a Gretsch Saxonette for sale. This is a unique and novel woodwind instrument that enjoyed considerable popularity in the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920s. It is a hybrid of a standard soprano clarinet, and a saxophone, made by adding a curved bell and angled neck (both silver-plated brass) to a cylindrical grenadilla (ebony) wood clarinet body. This is a Gretsch branded "stencil" instrument built by one of the premier French clarinet makers of the time (speculation has centered on Selmer Paris, or LeBlanc). Unfortunately, all of Gretsch's corporate records were destroyed in a factory fire in 1973, so confirming the manufacturing history of these instruments is not possible. The fingering for these instruments is reported to be Albert, and the key is reported to be B-flat (although both attributes have been claimed to differ by some sources). I played saxophones, and have lost the embrochure for even that, so I am unable to confirm the key, or to provide a current audio sample from ths instrument. Several years ago, I engaged master technician Harry Amidon (RIP), who did woodwind repair for the Philadelphia Orchestra, to replace all pads, cork, and felt, and expertly tune the action, restoring the instrument to peak playing condition. I played it only once, when it was returned to me, just enough to ensure that there were no issues evident. Mechanical and cosmetic condition of this instrument is nearly perfect; there are no playing issues or cracks, chips or other flaws. Silver plate on the bell does appear somewhat thin; may be result of age, case wear, or it could have been manufactured that way. Barrel pieces are stamped "Made in France", but evidently Gretsch did not apply serial numbers to these instruments. Case is sound, but the faux leather covering is a bit tattered, and the clasp is a bit cranky (as you might expect after 100 years.) Suitable for playing and/or display as part of a collection. 3 ea. new #2 cane reeds and cork grease included. $3000.

I did find a video of famed New Orleans jazz pioneer Alphonse Picou playing "High Society" on a Saxonette: