Need help with instrument ID!

[RogerB]

Hi,

New time here. My wife is the Euphonium player and she has a vintage instrument (plus Besson Sovereign). We're trying to ID the vintage one.

It is a baritone; the finish is rough enough we are having trouble reading the markings but here's what we think.

The bell is marked:

MERITON (in rather roughly shaped hand etching),
Georgi Vitcik (in very flowery, flowing, calligraphy cursive)
Chicago IL

All the lettering is hard to discern and we can't find any other legible marking (e.g. SN).

The valves are playable and the tone quite good, but silver finish is missing/blued/splotchy ....

Thanks for your time. I played a few scales on the instrument, as a trumpet player I have no euphonium embouchure but she sounds good on it. We're seniors and just having fun. She's a serious player/learner but unfortunately her Besson is causing her a great deal of back pain and something is going to have to change.

Roger

[davewerden]

Welcome to the forum! We have some very knowledgeable people here, and they may be able to help. I'm clueless, based on the information you provided.

Some photos might help.

[bbocaner]

Never heard of it but horn-u-copia says this:

Louis Vitak formed a partnership with importer Otto Giorgi c1906/7, advertised as manufacturers of Meritone band instruments, flourished in Chicago until c1930


So, date would be between 1906 and 1930.

[highpitch]

You might see it here:

http://www.euphoniumcollective.co.uk

Dennis

[dsurkin]

[snip] She's a serious player/learner but unfortunately her Besson is causing her a great deal of back pain and something is going to have to change. [snip]

Have you considered a marching strap arrangement or one of those supporting pegs? https://www.ergobrass.com/euphonium/