Difference between revisions of "Exakta"

From Brasspedia
(Overview of Arigra's around)
m (Wunderlich's Exakta)
(48 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
From the forties till the seventies octagonal trumpets were made by GDR makers from Markneukirchen operating in the Sinfonia and Migma groups, like Kurt Knoth, A.K. Wunderlich and Johannes Scherzer. "This peculiar shape of brass instruments was interesting to show orchestra's. That was going on already in the 1940s", says museum direktor Heidrun Eichler from Markneukirchen.
+
The Exakta is a type of <strong>[[Octagonal trumpets]]</strong>. From the forties till the seventies octagonal trumpets were made by GDR makers from Markneukirchen operating in the Sinfonia and Migma groups, like Kurt Knoth, A.K. Wunderlich and Johannes Scherzer. "This peculiar shape of brass instruments was interesting to show orchestra's. That was going on already in the 1940's", says museum direktor Heidrun Eichler from Markneukirchen.
 +
 
 +
The company A. K. Wunderlich in Markneukirchen was known for their 'Exakta' trumpets, but also build french horns and trombones. It was founded in 1907 by Alfred Wunderlich (26.05.1883 - 01.01.1969).  
  
 
== The Exakta and other octagonal bell trumpets from Markneukirchen ==
 
== The Exakta and other octagonal bell trumpets from Markneukirchen ==
Line 7: Line 9:
 
== Wunderlich's Exakta ==
 
== Wunderlich's Exakta ==
 
[[File:Wunderlich Alfred1.jpg|thumb|left|<small>The Exakta logo was used already by Alfred, so before 1938</small>]]
 
[[File:Wunderlich Alfred1.jpg|thumb|left|<small>The Exakta logo was used already by Alfred, so before 1938</small>]]
 +
 +
The company A. K. Wunderlich in Markneukirchen was known for their 'Exakta' trumpets, but also build french horns and trombones. It was founded in 1907 by Alfred Wunderlich(26.05.1883 - 01.01.1969). His father and brother were both active as brass instrument makers. Alfred joined with this brother under the name „Gebr. Wunderlich“. Around 1938 his son Kurt Wunderlich (16.05.1908 - 10.05.1994) became his partner, hence the name A. K. Wunderlich ('A' for Alfred, 'K' for Kurt). In the shop at Mosenstraße 10 they had up to 6 people working. Many apprentices were trained, some of whom continued their craftsmanship in a workshop of their own. The company was dissolved in 1990.
 +
 +
Already before WWII Alfred Wunderlich built a trumpet with hexagonal valve casings. It already has the Exakta logo to it.
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:A Wunderlich Exakta hexagon.jpg
 +
File:A Wunderlich Exakta hexagon 1.jpg
 +
File:A Wunderlich Exakta hexagon 1a.jpg
 +
File:A Wunderlich Exakta hexagon 6.jpg
 +
</gallery><small>Alfred Wunderlich Exakta trumpet with hexagonal valve casings, source Ebay.de 2020</small>
  
 
[[File:Wunderlich Exakta s.jpg|thumb|right|<small>Wunderlich Exakta luxury version with goldlacquer on valve caps and bottoms and inside bell, coll.: Gerard Westerhof</small>]]
 
[[File:Wunderlich Exakta s.jpg|thumb|right|<small>Wunderlich Exakta luxury version with goldlacquer on valve caps and bottoms and inside bell, coll.: Gerard Westerhof</small>]]
  
The company A. K. Wunderlich in Markneukirchen was known for their 'Exakta' trumpets, but also build french horns and trombones. It was founded in 1907 by Alfred Wunderlich(26.05.1883 - 01.01.1969). His father and brother were both active as brass instrument makers. Alfred joined with this brother under the name „Gebr. Wunderlich“. Around 1938 his son Kurt Wunderlich (16.05.1908 - 10.05.1994) became his partner, hence the name A. K. Wunderlich ('A' for Alfred, 'K' for Kurt). In the shop at Mosenstraße 10 they had up to 6 people working. Many apprentices were trained, some of whom continued their craftsmanship in a workshop of their own.The company was dissolved in 1990.
 
  
 
Most of their octagonal trumpets were build from 1945 till ca. 1970/75, After that interest strongly declined.
 
Most of their octagonal trumpets were build from 1945 till ca. 1970/75, After that interest strongly declined.
Line 17: Line 28:
  
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:2016-02-27 12.45.55 small.jpg
+
File:2016-02-27 12.45.55.jpg
File:2016-02-27 12.43.47 small.jpg
+
File:2016-02-27 12.43.47.jpg
File:2016-02-27 12.42.39 small.jpg
+
File:2016-02-27 12.42.39.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 
<small>Catalog "Alles für den Musikfreund', GHG Möbel- und Kulturwaren Bezirk, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Klingenthal</small>
 
<small>Catalog "Alles für den Musikfreund', GHG Möbel- und Kulturwaren Bezirk, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Klingenthal</small>
Line 29: Line 40:
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:A.K. Wunderlich Markneukirchen Migma Exakta 1.jpg|<small>A.K. Wunderlich Markneukirchen Migma, (mouthpiece: WERMA Compakt 18)</small>
 
File:A.K. Wunderlich Markneukirchen Migma Exakta 1.jpg|<small>A.K. Wunderlich Markneukirchen Migma, (mouthpiece: WERMA Compakt 18)</small>
File:TrompetteExakta9 small.jpg|<small>octagonal bell rim</small>
+
File:TrompetteExakta9.JPG|<small>octagonal bell rim</small>
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 46: Line 57:
  
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:Exakta Weltton 0 small.jpg|<small>Exakta Weltton, source Göran Christensen SV</small>
+
File:Exakta Weltton 0.jpg|<small>Exakta Weltton, source Göran Christensen SV</small>
File:Exakta Weltton 1 small.jpg
+
File:Exakta Weltton 1.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 65: Line 76:
  
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="250">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="250">
File:8Wunderlich-Exacta-tbn.jpg|<small>Source: Horn-U-copia</small>
+
File:8Wunderlich-Exacta-tbn.jpg|<small>Exakta trombone, source: Horn-U-copia</small>
 
File:9Exakta trombone 0.jpg
 
File:9Exakta trombone 0.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:10Exakta trombone 8 small.jpg|<small>Source: Ebay.de 2017</small>
+
File:Exakta trombone 8.JPG
File:11Exakta trombone 6 small.jpg
+
File:Exakta trombone 4.JPG
File:12Exakta trombone 9 small.jpg
+
File:Exakta trombone 6.JPG
</gallery>
+
File:Exakta trombone 9.JPG
 +
</gallery><small>Exakta trombone, engraved Meinel & Herold Klingenthal, source: Ebay.de 2017</small>
  
 
== Migma & Sinfonia ==
 
== Migma & Sinfonia ==
Line 87: Line 99:
 
[[File:Migma1Kurt Knoth 2014.jpg|thumb|center]]
 
[[File:Migma1Kurt Knoth 2014.jpg|thumb|center]]
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:Migma2Kurt Knoth 2014 3 small.jpg
+
File:Kurt Knoth 2014 3.JPG
File:Migma3Kurt Knoth 2014 6 small.jpg
+
File:Kurt Knoth 2014 6.JPG
File:Migma4Kurt Knoth 2014 2 small.jpg
+
File:Kurt Knoth 2014 2.JPG
File:Migma5Kurt Knoth 2014 8 small.jpg
+
File:Kurt Knoth 2014 8.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 96: Line 108:
  
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
File:Migma6Rino oct trp.jpg|<small>Kurth Knoth Rino Sinfonia, valves numbered 37, 38 (2), 39  source Ebay.com 2015.</small>
+
File:Migma6Rino oct trp.jpg
File:Migma7Rino oct trp 3 small.jpg
+
File:Rino oct trp 3.JPG
File:Migma8Rino oct trp 1 small.jpg
+
File:Rino oct trp 1.JPG
</gallery>
+
</gallery><small>Kurth Knoth Rino Sinfonia, valves numbered 37, 38 (2), 39  source Ebay.com 2015.</small>
  
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:Migma9J Scherzer Sinfonia 1979 Moisio.jpg|<small>Johannes Scherzer, Sinfonia, 1979 silver plated & gold lacquered, coll Heikki Moisio Finland</small>
 
File:Migma9J Scherzer Sinfonia 1979 Moisio.jpg|<small>Johannes Scherzer, Sinfonia, 1979 silver plated & gold lacquered, coll Heikki Moisio Finland</small>
File:Migma10Johannes Scherzer small.jpg|<small>J.Scherzer</small>
+
File:Johannes Scherzer.jpg|<small>Johannes Scherzer</small>
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 109: Line 121:
  
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
File:Migma11Scherzer 4956 zeskant 2.jpg|<small>hexagonal trumpet, source Ebay 2014</small>
+
File:Migma11Scherzer 4956 zeskant 2.jpg
 
File:Migma12Scherzer 4956 zeskant 1.jpg
 
File:Migma12Scherzer 4956 zeskant 1.jpg
File:Migma13Scherzer 4956 zeskant 4 small.jpg|<small>Scherzer</small>
+
File:Scherzer 4956 zeskant 4.JPG
</gallery>
+
</gallery><small>Scherzer hexagonal trumpet, serial number 4956, source Ebay 2014</small>
  
 
As a side step, a no name trumpet that presumably also has it's origins in Markneukirchen. Some octagonal tubes, hammered bell, valves and other details hexagonal. On the bell:  Musik Kapelle 'KVB' No 2. The seller suggests that it may have been playd in the orchestra of the Kölner Verkehrs Betriebe (the transport company of Cologne) .
 
As a side step, a no name trumpet that presumably also has it's origins in Markneukirchen. Some octagonal tubes, hammered bell, valves and other details hexagonal. On the bell:  Musik Kapelle 'KVB' No 2. The seller suggests that it may have been playd in the orchestra of the Kölner Verkehrs Betriebe (the transport company of Cologne) .
Line 118: Line 130:
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:Migma14KVB.jpg
 
File:Migma14KVB.jpg
File:Migma15KVB 1 small.jpg
+
File:KVB 1.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 126: Line 138:
  
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:1Alberto Sinfonia.jpg|<small>Meister Albert Wolfram, Sinfonia, marked Alberto </small>
+
File:1Alberto Sinfonia.jpg|<small>Meister Albert Wolfram, Sinfonia, marked Alberto, valves numbered 49,50,51</small>
File:2A. Wolfram - Meister Sinfonia V1617 small.jpg|<small>A.Wolfram valve block marked V 1617</small>
+
File:Alberto Sinfonia 49,50,51 1.jpg
File:3Meister K Wolfram.jpg
+
File:A Wolfram V1615 1561.JPG|<small>A.Wolfram valve block marked V 1615 1561</small>
 +
File:A. Wolfram - Meister Sinfonia V1617.jpg|<small>A.Wolfram valve block marked V 1617</small>
 +
File:A Wolfram V1773 0.jpg|<small>A.Wolfram valve block marked V 1773</small>
 +
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
The octagonal trumpets of Albert Wolfram appear regularly at sites like Ebay.
 
The octagonal trumpets of Albert Wolfram appear regularly at sites like Ebay.
 +
 +
Now here's a similar trumpet marked Meister K.Wolfram. The seller states the modelname is Jupiter. The seller of another K. Wolfram trumpet dates it around 1955.
 +
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 +
File:K.Wolfram Modell Jupiter D162.JPG
 +
File:K.Wolfram Modell Jupiter D162 1.JPG
 +
File:3Meister K Wolfram.jpg|
 +
</gallery>|<small>Meister K.Wolfram Sinfonia model Jupiter, marked D162</small>    <small> K.Wolfram Sinfonia, ca 1955</small>
  
 
== Super ==
 
== Super ==
Line 139: Line 161:
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:4Super.jpg|<small>Super, source Ebay.de 2016</small>
 
File:4Super.jpg|<small>Super, source Ebay.de 2016</small>
File:5Super 1 small.jpg
+
File:Super 1.JPG
File:6Super 2 small.jpg
+
File:Super 2.JPG
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 149: Line 171:
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:7HorstVoigt 07.jpg|<small>Horst Voigt cornet Markneukirchen</small>
 
File:7HorstVoigt 07.jpg|<small>Horst Voigt cornet Markneukirchen</small>
File:8HorstVoigt 04 small.jpg
+
File:HorstVoigt 04.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 159: Line 181:
 
[[File:1Pscherer.jpg|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:1Pscherer.jpg|thumb|left]]
  
[[File:2Pscherer 1 small.jpg|thumb|right]]
+
[[File:Pscherer 1.jpg|thumb|right]]
  
 
[[File:3GHG Möbel - und Kulturwaren Bezirk Karl-Marx Stadt achtkant.jpg|thumb|left|<small>  catalog issued by GHG Karl-Markx-Stadt, 1961, source: Ebay 2016</small>]]
 
[[File:3GHG Möbel - und Kulturwaren Bezirk Karl-Marx Stadt achtkant.jpg|thumb|left|<small>  catalog issued by GHG Karl-Markx-Stadt, 1961, source: Ebay 2016</small>]]
Line 178: Line 200:
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
File:3Sawatzki 41372 R17 5.jpg|<small>Sawatzki sr.nr 4 1372, R17 on the valve block, coll. Silvio Notarbartolo</small>
 
File:3Sawatzki 41372 R17 5.jpg|<small>Sawatzki sr.nr 4 1372, R17 on the valve block, coll. Silvio Notarbartolo</small>
File:4Sawatzki 41413 small.jpg
+
File:Sawatzki 4 1413.JPG|<small>Sawatzki sr.nr. 4 1413 with a different main slide brace, source Ebay.de 2016</small>
File:5Sawatzki 41413 4 small.jpg|<small>Sawatzki sr.nr. 4 1413 with a different main slide brace source Ebay.de 2016</small>
+
File:Sawatzki 4 1413 4.JPG
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
Here's a Sawatzki dodecagonal trombone, offered on Ebay in 2019. It's marked SAMA and Sinfonia and has number 4 162, so one of his earlier instruments.
 
Here's a Sawatzki dodecagonal trombone, offered on Ebay in 2019. It's marked SAMA and Sinfonia and has number 4 162, so one of his earlier instruments.
 
[[File:6Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 0.jpg|thumb|center|<small>Sawatzki trombone, sr.nr 4 162, source: for sale on Ebay.de in 2019 by dukakis1967
 
</small>]]
 
  
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:7Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 3 small.jpg
+
File:6Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 0.jpg
File:8Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 1 small.jpg
+
File:Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 3.JPG
File:9Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 2 small.jpg
+
File:Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 1.JPG
File:10Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 4 small.jpg
+
File:Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 2.JPG
</gallery>
+
File:Sawatzki 4162 SAMA Sinfonia 4.JPG
 +
</gallery><small>Sawatzki trombone, sr.nr 4 162, source: for sale on Ebay.de in 2019 by dukakis1967
 +
</small>
  
 
Sawatzki, like Wunderlich, also made octagonal trombones.
 
Sawatzki, like Wunderlich, also made octagonal trombones.
Line 198: Line 219:
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:11Sawatzki trombone 2.jpg|<small>SAMA Sinfonia trombone, end 60's beginnng 70's, gold lacquer inside bell</small>
 
File:11Sawatzki trombone 2.jpg|<small>SAMA Sinfonia trombone, end 60's beginnng 70's, gold lacquer inside bell</small>
File:12Sawatzki trombone small.jpg
+
File:Sawatzki trombone.JPG
</gallery>
 
 
 
== Vega ==
 
 
 
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega_Company Vega], an American maker of musical instruments from Boston, made a octagonal trumpet as well. Model Hi-voice, serial number 40143, refurbished in 2012 dates probably from around 1950. Vega started in brass production with the aqcuisition Standard Band Instrument Company of Boston in 1909. The Vega trumpets and cornets were popular with jazz artists as well as the later big bands and solo artists such as Miles Davis; they enjoyed a comfortable niche in the professional market. However, producing handcrafted professional horns without keeping an eye to the increasing demand for student instruments, the company dropped their horn production to concentrate on their stringed instrument sales. In 1970 Vega was bought by C.F. Martin.
 
 
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:1Vega Hi Voice octagonal bell.jpg|<small>Vega Hi-Voice, sr.nr. 40143 coll. Robert Adams, Atlanta US</small>
 
File:2Vega Hi Voice octagonal bell 4 serial 40143 small.jpg
 
File:Vega Hi 3Voice octagonal bell 2 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
== Vickers ==
 
[[File:4Vickers Octagon sr nr 2025.jpg|thumb|right|<small>Vickers Octagon</small>]]
 
 
 
On Horn-u-copia.net there's a Vickers Octagon, with serial number 2025. The seller dated it between 1925 and 1935. The origin is unclear. One possibility is that it was imported by J.J. Vickers and Sons, who early into the 20th century had become the principal importer of musical instruments in the UK, offering everything except pianos. But that's just a wild guess.
 
 
 
== Couesnon Paramount ==
 
 
 
A Couesnon Bb/C trumpet with hexagonal valve slide knobs, valve bottoms and 5 ridges on the valve casings and a art-deco'ish geometrical design on the bell. The valve casings remind of Bohland & Fuchs.
 
 
 
[[File:5Couesnon Paramount 0.jpg|thumb|center|<small>Couesnon Paramount, serial number 5225, valve caps marked 34, 35, 36 source: Ebay.fr 2014</small>]]
 
 
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:6Couesnon Paramount 5 small.jpg
 
File:7Couesnon Paramount 3 small.jpg
 
File:8Couesnon Paramount 2 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
== Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy, Paris ==
 
 
 
Also from France is this Bb and C trumpet from Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy, with dodecagonal valve casings and a lot of hexagonal details. It's named Hot Jazz Queen.
 
The company is located at 58bis Rue Reamur, which could date the trumpet at 1932 or later.
 
 
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
File:1Thibouville Hot Jazz 0.jpg|<small>Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy, Hot Jazz Queen, valves numbered 10,11,12, source ebay.fr</small>
 
File:2Thibouville Hot Jazz 5 small.jpg
 
File:3Thibouville Hot Jazz 1 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
A similar trumpet is engraved Nicholson's Special Jazz and was sold in 2017 through ebay.fr.
 
 
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150"> 
 
File:4Nicholsons jazz.jpg|<small>Nicholson's Special Jazz, valves numbered 7,8,9, source ebay.fr</small>
 
File:5Nicholsons jazz 3 small.jpg
 
File:6Nicholsons jazz 1 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
== Besson London ==
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150"> 
 
File:1Besson 128961 International.jpg|<small>Besson International sr. nr 128961</small>
 
File:2Besson 128961 International 2 small.jpg
 
File:3Besson 128961 International 1 small.jpg
 
File:4Besson 128961 International 3 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
A Besson trumpet with fluted casings and hexagonal valve caps. Not a very clear picture but art deco engravings on the rimless bell.
 
 
 
== Atlantic Special ==
 
 
 
A trumpet with ten sided valve casings, caps an bottoms and other hexagonal details is named Atlantic Special with on the bell the inscription Weihnachten (Christmas) 1937 and a removed inscription that the seller supposes was a nazi reference.
 
 
 
[[File:1Atlantic Special.jpg|thumb|center|<small>Atlantic Special Weihnachten 1937 source Ebay.de 2017</small>]]
 
 
 
<gallery widths="150" heights="150"> 
 
File:2Atlantic Special 9 small.jpg
 
File:3Atlantic Special 7 small.jpg
 
File:4Atlantic Special 6 small.jpg
 
File:5Atlantic Special 5 small.jpg
 
File:6Atlantic Special 4 small.jpg
 
File:771Atlantic Special 3 small.jpg
 
File:8Atlantic Special 2 small.jpg
 
File:9Atlantic Special 1 small.jpg
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 283: Line 231:
  
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
File:2Anon.jpg|<small>anonymous trumpet, mouthpiece marked SONDER A M Sch KLASSE, source Ebay.de 2016</small>
+
File:2Anon.jpg
File:3anon 7 small.jpg
+
File:Anon 7.jpg
</gallery>
+
</gallery><small>anonymous trumpet, mouthpiece marked SONDER A M Sch KLASSE, source Ebay.de 2016</small>
  
 
The University of Edinburgh suspects it's octagonal trumpet to be 'possibly German, ca 1950'.
 
The University of Edinburgh suspects it's octagonal trumpet to be 'possibly German, ca 1950'.
Line 294: Line 242:
 
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
 
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
 
File:5no name Peter Ros.jpg|<small>anonymous, offered for sale on Marktplaats.nl 2017</small>
 
File:5no name Peter Ros.jpg|<small>anonymous, offered for sale on Marktplaats.nl 2017</small>
File:6no name Peter Ros 8 small.jpg
+
File:no name Peter Ros 8.JPG
File:7no name Peter Ros 7 small.jpg
+
File:no name Peter Ros 7.JPG
File:8no name Peter Ros 9 small.jpg
+
File:no name Peter Ros 9.JPG
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
And an octagonal trumpet that's owned by Richard Jereb, Vienna. The octagonal form has been consequently continued in different parts, like the caps of the water-keys (made of copper, not brass), junction rods, all pipe junctions. Also the finger ring and the handles of the slides are octagonal. No makers name or whatsoever, only an 1 on the middle valve casing. A stylized violin key on the tuning slide. Valve casings resemble Kühnl & Hoyer although the owner doesn't believe it could be West-Germany. The combination of brass and nickel silver means it's not older than 1970, according to Mario Weller, who's also convinced it's not Markneukirchen made.
+
== The Arigra  ==
  
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
+
Click on the following title for an overview of and the story behind the <strong>[[Arigra]]</strong>
File:9IMG 1114.jpg|<small>anonymous, coll. Richard Jereb, Vienna</small>
 
File:10IMG 1096 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
  
== Steenhuysen, Brussels ==
+
== Other trumpets with hexagonal valve casings ==  
  
A hexagonal bell and hexagonal valve casings and caps are distinct features of a trumpet that's branded Swing. Swing is believed to be a trade name of Steenhuysen, a brass manufacturing company in Brussels. Pierre Steenhuysen worked for Mahillon before he started his own workshop in 1926. His grandson bought Mahillon in 1970. The bell isn't hexagonal till the end, there's a saxophone player engraved on the bell. Steenhuysen made a Wonder model trumpet, and used similar hexagonal valve caps and bottoms and a rimless bell on other models/instruments, like the Swing Special.
+
Click on the following title to view an overview of <strong>[[Other trumpets with hexagonal valve casings]]</strong>
 
 
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
 
File:1Swing Peter Ros 0.jpg|<small>Swing, serial nr. 11408, coll. Peter Ros</small>
 
File:2Swing Peter Ros 2 small.jpg
 
File:3Swing Peter Ros 1 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
== Wonder Super ==
 
 
 
[[File:4Wonder Super4.jpg|thumb|left|<small>Source: Ebay 2014</small>]]
 
 
 
A trumpet marked Wonder Super, round (rimless) bell with hexagonal valve casings, ferrules, valve caps and bottoms. Most probably from Belgium; Horn-u-copia lists a Wonder Super trombone engraved 'Fabrication Artistique'. Collector Peter Willemsen believes that Wonder Super aalso was a tradename of Steenhuysen.
 
 
 
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
 
File:5wonder Super jp small.jpg|<small>An identical Wonder Super, offered for sale from Japan in 2017</small>
 
File:6wonder Super jp 1 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
Almost the same trumpet was sold under the name J van Dorpe, Courtrai (Kortrijk) also in Belgium. The main difference is the spin. It's engraved Model Wonder Professional.
 
 
 
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
 
File:7J van Dorpe Courtrai Model Wonder 0.jpg|<small>Source: 2ehands.be</small>
 
File:8J van Dorpe Courtrai Model Wonder 1 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
== De Prins Super ==
 
  
The hexagonal valve casings are also found on trumpets from Belgian maker De Prins from Antwerp. The De Prins Super trumpet features these hexagonal valve casings. De Prins and later Gebr. De Prins (brothers De Prins) were located in Antwerp, as of 1901. The brothers took over after WWI. Gebr. De Prins had a complete Super line of instruments. The company existed until 1980.
+
== Sources ==
  
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
+
- [https://www.trompetenforum.de/ Trompetenforum]
File:1De Prins hex VC-1.jpg
 
File:2De Prins hex VC 4 small.jpg
 
File:3De Prins hex VC 2-3 small.jpg
 
File:4De Prins Hex VC 3 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
<small>De Prins Super, gebreveteerd sr.nr. 17861, Antwerpen België source: Peter Willemsen</small>
 
  
<gallery widths="250" heights="150">
+
- [http://www.museum-markneukirchen.de/forum/viewforum.php?f=13&sid=e50777af9b27ac8e62e11a5dce61c5b1 Museum Markneukirchen forum]
File:5De Prins gebrev Super 7.jpg
 
File:6De Prins gebrev Super 5 small.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
<small>De Prins Gebrs Grote Prijs, Gouden Medaille  Antwerpen België  Super model 1950 gebreveteerd sr.nr. 13357 source: Ebay.de 2014</small<
 
  
== Other trumpets with hexagonal valve casings ==
+
- [https://www.horn-u-copia.net/ Horn-u-copia]
  
Click on the following title to view an overview of <strong>[[Other trumpets with hexagonal valve casings]]</strong>
+
- G.Dullat Der Musikinstrumentenbau und die Musikfachschule in Graslitz von den Anfangen bis 1945
  
== Overview of Arigra's around ==
+
- The New Langwill Index
  
{| class="wikitable"
+
- Ebay and the rest of the internet
!colspan="5"|There are quite some octagonal Arigra's around. [http://mitglied.multimania.de/grosch/ Sven Grosch] states there were some 2500 made, I don't know where that figure originates but it could be true. Some 62 are listed below.
 
|-
 
|Bread
 
|Pie
 
|Buns
 
|Danish
 
|Croissant
 
|-
 
|Cheese
 
|Ice cream
 
|Butter
 
|Yogurt
 
|Yogurt
 
|}
 

Revision as of 16:28, 22 March 2020

The Exakta is a type of Octagonal trumpets. From the forties till the seventies octagonal trumpets were made by GDR makers from Markneukirchen operating in the Sinfonia and Migma groups, like Kurt Knoth, A.K. Wunderlich and Johannes Scherzer. "This peculiar shape of brass instruments was interesting to show orchestra's. That was going on already in the 1940's", says museum direktor Heidrun Eichler from Markneukirchen.

The company A. K. Wunderlich in Markneukirchen was known for their 'Exakta' trumpets, but also build french horns and trombones. It was founded in 1907 by Alfred Wunderlich (26.05.1883 - 01.01.1969).

The Exakta and other octagonal bell trumpets from Markneukirchen

Brass instrument maker Mario Weller from Markneukirchen, who researches the history of 20th century brass instrument making in Vogtland, told me in March 2013: „Most of the brass instrument makers in the Vogtland made their octagonal bells out of standard bells, on their own rods. That's known for the workshops of Johannes Scherzer, A.K.Wunderlich and for the 12-sided version that came from the workshop of Erhard Sawatzki. The basic bells for all three workshops came from bell maker Heinz Nürnberger, formerly Firma Ernst Dölling, Markneukirchen. Heinz Nürnberger is known to have had his own 8 sided rod, that he lent to another Sinfonia member (Otto Meinel) when needed. Also known is that around 1950 instrument and bell maker August Reichel jun. made octagonal bells and sold them to Vogtlandian instrument makers.

Wunderlich's Exakta

The Exakta logo was used already by Alfred, so before 1938

The company A. K. Wunderlich in Markneukirchen was known for their 'Exakta' trumpets, but also build french horns and trombones. It was founded in 1907 by Alfred Wunderlich(26.05.1883 - 01.01.1969). His father and brother were both active as brass instrument makers. Alfred joined with this brother under the name „Gebr. Wunderlich“. Around 1938 his son Kurt Wunderlich (16.05.1908 - 10.05.1994) became his partner, hence the name A. K. Wunderlich ('A' for Alfred, 'K' for Kurt). In the shop at Mosenstraße 10 they had up to 6 people working. Many apprentices were trained, some of whom continued their craftsmanship in a workshop of their own. The company was dissolved in 1990.

Already before WWII Alfred Wunderlich built a trumpet with hexagonal valve casings. It already has the Exakta logo to it.

Alfred Wunderlich Exakta trumpet with hexagonal valve casings, source Ebay.de 2020

Wunderlich Exakta luxury version with goldlacquer on valve caps and bottoms and inside bell, coll.: Gerard Westerhof


Most of their octagonal trumpets were build from 1945 till ca. 1970/75, After that interest strongly declined. Here's an Exakta, A.K. Wunderlich, with the caracteristic triangular spin that also is found on Sinfonia instruments, and gold lacquered valve caps and bottoms. The inside of the bell is also gold lacquered.


Catalog "Alles für den Musikfreund', GHG Möbel- und Kulturwaren Bezirk, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Klingenthal

This Wunderlich Exakta is listed in a 1961 catalog from the Grosshandelskontor für Möbel-und Kulturwaren from 1961. It comes in three versions, with only the bell octagonal, bell and valve block octagonal and a fully octagonal one (except tubes). In a 1962 pricelist it's offered for (DDR) DM 275, DM 365 and DM 400 for the luxury version. Here's another Exakta, with an octagonal bell rim.

A double-braced Exakta

A.K.Wunderlich ca. 1960, double brace, coll. Trompetenmuseum Bad Säckingen

Wunderlich made these octagonal bell trumpets with hexagonal shaped valve casings but also with round valve casings. Hammered tubes are found on a lot of these trumpets, others are engraved.

He also made trumpets with hexagonal valve casings and a round bell. Here's an Exakta with the name Weltton on the bell. The Weltton ('world sound') brand was used between ca. 1953 and 1977.

The bell engravings also vary to quite some extent. AK Wunderlich and Markneukirchen and/or Migma are common. There's also an 'Originel Wunderlich'.

Wunderlich also made Exakta octagonal trombones with double braces.

Exakta trombone, engraved Meinel & Herold Klingenthal, source: Ebay.de 2017

Migma & Sinfonia

Musical instrument makers around Markneukirchen were organised in cooperatives, for the purchase of materials and selling of products. Wunderlich was member of Migma, an acronym for "Musikinstrumenten Genossenschaft Markneukirchen", a cooperative with at a time several hundred musical instrument makers, established in 1943 and still existing. Other workshops were organised in Sinfonia, a production cooperative (PGH, Produktions Geselschaft) that existed as of 1960. In the seventies, wenn it became clear that with export of hand made instruments foreign currency could be acquired, the PGH Sinfonia was transferred into a 'Volkseigene Betrieb' (VEB Sinfonia), a state organisation. In 1984 the VEB SINFONIA became VEB Blechblas- und Signalinstrumentenfabrik Markneukirchen. In 1990 VEB B & S became the Vogtländische Musikinstrumentenfabrik GmbH (VMI).

Members of PGH Sinfonia were amongst others Johannes Scherzer, who in 1961 took over the workshop of his uncle Kurt Knoth (both using the tradename 'Rino'), Karl Mönnich, Albert Wolfram, Otto Meinel, Walter Mönnig, Erhard Sawatzki as well as the Philipp Reichel workshop with his 'subdivisions' Armin Glier and Klaus Wolfram.

The workshop of Kurth Knoth and his successor (and nephew) Johannes Scherzer made several hundreds of octagonal trumpets, according to Mario Weller. Kurth Knoth took over the Rino workshop from his father Emil in 1935, and moved it to the Mosenstraße 13 in Markneukirchen. In 1961 Kurt Knoth who was a member of Migma, joined the PGH Sinfonia. As of 1961 Johannes Scherzer was in charge of the workshop. The Scherzer workshop then in 1984 became part of the VEB Blechblas- und Signalinstrumentenfabrik.

Here's an octagonal trumpet engraved Kurt Knoth Instr.Baumeister with trademark Rino and sold through Migma, with hammered tubing and gold wash bell. Dated 1940 -1950 by the 2014 Ebay seller, but as it's engraved Migma it can't be before 1943.

Migma1Kurt Knoth 2014.jpg

A Rino octagonal trumpet with Sinfonia on the spin and Rino on the bell and pinky hook. As it's marked Sinfonia it must be later than 1960

Kurth Knoth Rino Sinfonia, valves numbered 37, 38 (2), 39 source Ebay.com 2015.

Here's another trumpet marked Scherzer, with octagonal valve casing, bottoms and caps, similar to those of the Kurth Knoth above. This one however has a hexagonal bell and hexagonal ferrules. It was offered on Ebay from 2014 till 2015 by instrument maker Simon Freyer in Friedrichsdorf, who believes it's a one off. The serial number is 4956, the valves are marked 37,38,39.

Scherzer hexagonal trumpet, serial number 4956, source Ebay 2014

As a side step, a no name trumpet that presumably also has it's origins in Markneukirchen. Some octagonal tubes, hammered bell, valves and other details hexagonal. On the bell: Musik Kapelle 'KVB' No 2. The seller suggests that it may have been playd in the orchestra of the Kölner Verkehrs Betriebe (the transport company of Cologne) .

Alberto, Albert Wolfram Markneukirchen

Albert Wolfram (+2007) who started his workshop in 1957 used the tradename Alberto. His son Gerhard Wolfram is the last known instrument maker in Markneukirchen still building octagonal trumpets.

The octagonal trumpets of Albert Wolfram appear regularly at sites like Ebay.

Now here's a similar trumpet marked Meister K.Wolfram. The seller states the modelname is Jupiter. The seller of another K. Wolfram trumpet dates it around 1955.

|Meister K.Wolfram Sinfonia model Jupiter, marked D162 K.Wolfram Sinfonia, ca 1955

Super

An octagonal trumpet with a valve block similar to the above Wolfram appeared on Ebay in 2016. It has the name Super on it, a number (624?) on the valve block and no Sinfonia spin.

Horst Voigt, Markneukirchen

An octagonal cornet was signed by Horst Voigt, Markneukirchen. Horst Voigt (1920 - 1994) was educated at A.K. Wunderlich and opened his own workshop in 1951. In 1953 his many years younger brother Helmut joined him.

Another octagonal cornet that has octagonal valve caps and valve casings. No makers name, presumably older than the Horst Voigt cornet and definitely no Arigra as is suggested in it's ebay ad

octagonal cornet,source g.mu6 ebay.com

Joseph Pscherer

1Pscherer.jpg
Pscherer 1.jpg
catalog issued by GHG Karl-Markx-Stadt, 1961, source: Ebay 2016

Meister Joseph Pscherer was born in 1909 in Eibenberg (7km from Graslitz, now Czech). According to Mario Weller, he got his education in Graslitz and worked from 1953 till 1978/1980 in Klingenthal, 7 km from Graslitz on the German side of the border. He passed away around 1996. Pscherer always worked alone and had his instruments sold through the Migma collective, and incidentally also through PGH Sinfonia, as Weller states. This instrument has no reference to either Migma or Sinfonia.

Other workshops made octagonal trumpets under the Sinfonia name, some are only marked Sinfonia, without a maker. A 1961 GDR catalog shows an octagonal trumpet, in luxury version. It has gold lacquer in the bell and on the bows. The catalog ("Alles für den Musikkfreund") was issued by the Grosshandelskontor (GHB) für Kulturwaren in Karl-Marx-Stadt (now Chemnitz). The GHB was a new wholesale organisation in the socialist GDR that existed as of 1960.

Erhard Sawatzki's dodecagonal trumpets

Erhard Sawatzki (03.08.1924) was educated at the A.K. Wunderlich shop from 1939 till 1942 and worked there till April 1963. He worked as in independent instrument maker from 1963 till 1990, being a member of Sinfonia, where his workshop had the number 4, as a prefix to their serial number. He made trombones, trumpets, flugelhorns, cornets, tenor and french horns in different models, some 2000 instruments all together. His specialty were dodecagonal trumpets, with bell, valve caps and tubes 12-sided.

Erhard Sawatzki, Sinfonia, 'Made in GDR', after 1963, before 1985 serial number 4 260, valve block marked X5230 coll. Gerard Westerhof.
Erhard Sawatzki SAMA Sinfonia after 1963, coll.Gerard Westerhof

Here's a Sawatzki dodecagonal trombone, offered on Ebay in 2019. It's marked SAMA and Sinfonia and has number 4 162, so one of his earlier instruments.

Sawatzki trombone, sr.nr 4 162, source: for sale on Ebay.de in 2019 by dukakis1967

Sawatzki, like Wunderlich, also made octagonal trombones.

No names

Then there are the unidentified octagonal trumpets. The first one, owned by Dieter Grosche, has similarities to the Markneukirchen trumpets.

anonymous octagonal trumpet, coll. Dieter Grosche, Dusseldorf

Another no name trumpet, richly decorated. Valve caps hinting on Markneukirchen, as does the mouthpiece that goes with it (not necessarily original).

anonymous trumpet, mouthpiece marked SONDER A M Sch KLASSE, source Ebay.de 2016

The University of Edinburgh suspects it's octagonal trumpet to be 'possibly German, ca 1950'.

anonymous, coll. Edinburgh University

An octagonal bell trumpet with hexagonal valve block/caps/bottoms

The Arigra

Click on the following title for an overview of and the story behind the Arigra

Other trumpets with hexagonal valve casings

Click on the following title to view an overview of Other trumpets with hexagonal valve casings

Sources

- Trompetenforum

- Museum Markneukirchen forum

- Horn-u-copia

- G.Dullat Der Musikinstrumentenbau und die Musikfachschule in Graslitz von den Anfangen bis 1945

- The New Langwill Index

- Ebay and the rest of the internet