Alto saxophone owned and played by Charlie Parker

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Alto saxophone owned and played by Charlie Parker. The saxophone consists of seven parts: a body, neck, two [2] mouthpieces, two [2] ligatures and a reed. 2019.10.1a: The saxophone body is made of brass and has a sterling silver bell. Some of the keys have mother-of-pearl inlays. The bell is decorated with an engraved floral design with text on the front. The text reads [KING / Super / 20 / THE H.N. WHITE CO. /CLEVELAND – O]. Engraved above the bell lug at the bow of the saxophone is [STERLING / BELL]. Engraved in cursive text below this on the bell lug is [Charlie Parker]. Engraved on the back of the body at the bow, below the key guard is [295173]. 2019.10.1b: The alto saxophone neck is made of brass and is covered in cork where the neck attaches to the mouthpiece. Engraved on the neck screw at the bottom of the neck is [295173].

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