{Mahillon}

Nickel silver keywork, ferrules, thumb rest and reed cylinder.

Elaborate system no.4 oboe, being the Mahillon mark 323.

This mark has the following non-standard features: Left-C# for L4, F#-G# trill, low Bb being on MJ, with a short bell.

Keys on axles and pillars. Round lipped keyheads type Heyde-181/4.

Milled out key-holes, some with countersunk edge.

3rd hole doubled with finger cove.

No inner rim in bell.

Metal lining: reed well, sockets, joint and bell ends.

Good condition. Some pads and springs worn. One major crack in bell. Body showing traces of (heavy) usage (varnish worn).

In original case (LxDxH) 389 x 132 x 62.2mm (incl. handle).

Reed box is missing.

Pitch hard to determine due to condition of the instrument. Only a few notes could be played, pointing towards A = c.440Hz with reed TL 71mm /staple 47mm / tip width 7.2mm.

Unknown

De Keyser (1994).

De Keyser (1996).

Haine & Meeùs (1986) pp.274–9.

Verdegem (2015).

Mahillon catalogues of 1871, 1876, 1878, 1879, 1911 and 1926.

De Keyser (1996) App.1 pp.17–18.

Mahillon oboe model no.323, appearing (basic model 321 depicted) in the 1899 catalogue p.20 and 1911 catalogue p.17.

According to De Keyser (1996) App.1 pp.17–8 the model no.323 appears in Mahillon catalogues of 1896, 1899, 1908, 1911 and 1914.

It is not clear whether the number on the bell is a serial number.

See De Keyser (1996) App.1 pp.17–8 on dating of Mahillon oboe keywork systems.

The Modèle Guidé, being the no.321 of which this oboe system is a variant, was the oboe model adopted by the Brussels conservatory and played by Guillaume Guidé (1859-1917), who was the third oboe teacher of this institute from 1884–1910, and principal oboe of the Monnaie Theatre opera orchestra. From 1900 until his death he was the director of the Monnaie Theatre. See Verdegem (2008b) on Guidé.