{Eisenmenger}

3 brass keys with flat flaps, semi-square for Eb-keys, type Young-A; round spade-like for C-key, type Young-Y but spade-shaped.

Raised key rings circular.

SATB (springs attached to the body).

3rd and 4th hole doubled with finger cove.

Bulb bell with 2 vent-holes.

Excellent condition. One repaired crack in bell. Little wear and tear.

Bocal (not clear if original) in brass TL 115mm - and reed (not original, for display only) on brass staple. Mahillon does not mention a bocal, but depicts the instrument with one.

Best possible result obtained with bocal TL 101mm ø 6.6mm + 3.5mm, and reed TL 52.8mm / staple 28mm ø 5mm / tip width 11mm, giving A = c.415Hz.

Although the instrument seems to be in a good condition, it is hard to get a good playing result. Nice round sound, but the intonation stays very uneven.

Ex-Tolbecque

Hart (1961).

Dullat (2010) p.130.

Mahillon (R1978) Vol.I p.436.

Instrument listed in Young (1993) p.70.

Instrument mentioned in Hart (1961) p.41.

Instrument mentioned in Waterhouse (1993) p.105.

Mahillon (R1978) Vol.I p.436 (drawing, with bocal and reed).

Adkins (2001).

Outward design refers to Haynes type-A2.

It is not clear if the top finial boxwood ring is original or a repair.

Bell very long.

Possibly cherry-wood according to Young (1993) p.70.

Instrument difficult to date. J.G.Eisenmenger’s mark seems to differ on various instruments. Hart (1961) p.43 wonders if the three stars refer to the three sons of Johann Georg Eisenmenger. According to Waterhouse (1993) p.105, discussing the various marks of the Eisenmenger family, and Dullat (2010) p.130 citing Kirnbauer, the above mark was also used by the two grandchildren of Johann Georg Eisenmenger, at the end of the 18th century.

Given the specific A2-type oboe, we assume that this instrument was probably made by Johann Georg Eisenmenger himself, possibly around the 2nd quarter of the 18th century.