Posted by Adam Peck on January 31, 2001 at 16:50:32:
In Reply to: Distin Family Quintet posted by Joan McMaster on January 30, 2001 at 18:58:01:
Joan,i have some info about the Distin Family. I must give credit for this info to Lloyd P. Farrar, Silver Spring M.D. Henry John Distin(1819-1903) was the son of an english court trumpeter. The Distin Family Quintet toured Europe and North America between 1837 and 1844. The group started using valve horns developed by Adolf Sax. Diston and Sons opened in 1845 and was Great Britains Agency for Sax. Diston broke with Sax in 1853 an began to develop his own line of instruments. In 1864 he patented his light piston valve found on his cornets. All modern piston valves are descended from this design. In 1868 the business was bought by Boosey and Son but still was known as Distin. In 1874 the Distin was dropped and replaced with Boosey and Co. From 1877-1882 Diston manufactured instruments in New York City moving to Philadelphia in 1882-1886. 1890-1909 the company operated in Williamsport,P.A.(..where I live..) and was managed by Brua Keefer. From March 1st 1909 until 1941 the company operated under the name Brua C. Keefer Mfg, Comp.which continued to use the best Distin designs.The factory in Williamsport was at one time the Largest musical instrument maker in the world.