Boosey & Hawkes 1010 A Clarinet
A rare and unusual B&H 1010 A clarinet which is a commission sale for Clarinets Direct, and has an impressive provenance. This instrument was originally part of a pair originally owned by Tom Whitestone, for many years a member of the English National Ballet Orchestra. Tom had the pair modified with the addition of the Acton patent vent, but, in a neat and excellent design, which Tom believes was by Ward & Winterbourne, though at this distance of time he is not completely sure who he commissioned to do the work. Subsequently, on his retirement, the pair were sold to Michael Pearce of the Philharmonia and BBC Concert Orchestra. The pair's most recent owner is an amateur, who has just bought a pair of Buffet Prestige clarinets.
This A, serial no. 269569, has had the thumb rest moved lower, and the screw holes filled, apart from one. The Silver plate throughout shows much wear due to heavy use. This A also has a repaired crack to the upper joint. The supplied m'piece is a B&H 1010 No. 2, in good used condition. The case is a modern Pro-tech in excellent condition.