Frank Holton "New Proportion" Cornet — Serial #6646 — Chicago, c.1903–05 — Silver Plate — Collector-Player — Original Case, Extra Slides & Two Period Holton Mouthpieces

You are looking at an exceptionally early Frank Holton New Proportion cornet, serial #6646, manufactured in Chicago in approximately 1903–1905 — among the first years of the model's production run. The "PAT. APPLIED FOR" stamp on the valve section confirms pre-patent manufacture, a detail that serious collectors of early American brass specifically seek out.

The Instrument

The New Proportion was Frank Holton's flagship cornet of the era, designed around a bore and taper profile intended to improve intonation and response compared to prevailing designs of the time. Serial #6646 is a very early example in silver plate, with the elegant long-model silhouette and characteristic diamond-motif bracing details visible between the slide tubes.

Bell engraving is lush and well-preserved — a full floral scroll pattern surrounds the "NEW PROPORTION / MADE BY / Frank Holton / CHICAGO" script legend. The silver plate retains good coverage with the expected patina of 120+ years, and the engraving lines remain crisp and legible throughout.

Condition & Service

Silver plate shows honest wear appropriate to 120+ years of age. Most notable: plating loss at the bell rim and high-contact areas on the valve casings, with general tarnish and patina throughout. These are cosmetic only and do not affect playability.

Professionally repaired prior to sale: a slide crook was re-soldered by a shop and the repair is clean and solid. The horn also received new felts, corks, and springs.

Beyond the cosmetic wear, the instrument plays well. Slides are all free. Valves move with good compression. This is a fully serviced, ready-to-play cornet — not a restoration project.

What's Included

• Frank Holton New Proportion cornet, serial #6646, c.1903–05, silver plate
• Original period case with green velvet interior (intact and functional)
• Extra pitch-change slides (period correct, stored in case)
• Two period Holton mouthpieces

Ships carefully packed in the original case, fully insured.