Anonymous (Austrian/Bohemian) rotary valve posthorn in C
The Horn of the Month for July is a posthorn made by an Anonymous maker. This instrument is part of John’s collection of instruments and has a wonderful personal history in his family. The post horn is made of brass with a German silver bell garland and is pitched in “C”. It is a conical instrument and has three rotary-valves in the modern valve configuration (whole step, half step, step & a half). The valves are designed to be played by the player’s right hand (not left - like “French” horns) which places this instrument in the post horn and cornet family of instruments.
Edward Tarr in The Trumpet relates that Dauverné (Méthode Théorique & Practique de Cornet á Pistons ou á Cylindres. Paris 1840 p.9) credits that the cornet sprang from the posthorn in 1831 when Halary constructed a posthorn with valves.
The Cornet Compendium by Richard Schwartz lists a variety of names given to circular shaped horns in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries: cornet simple, cornet ordinaire, cornet de post etc. with post horn being the term in England and Germany (The Cornet Compendium is a wonderful resource you might want to add to your library).
This instrument was found in an antique and curiosity shop in Vienna in the early 1960’s by John’s uncle, Cedric Adams, a noted Chicago jazzman. While studying at Indiana University in 1980, John stayed in Chicago with his Uncle Ced, who gave him the instrument. Then, hitchhiking back to Bloomington, IN, the instrument was played extensively along Interstate I-65. Often these impromptu performances successfully landed John several rides. One tune that worked especially well in getting a ride (in the back of a pickup truck!) was “Back Home Again in Indiana”.
Needing valve and other restoration work, John describes the playing characteristics of this horn as swinging like a rusty gate. Keeping to posthorn original intentions, it has yet to see the inside of a concert hall, in John’s hands.

Information taken from:
John Thomas; The Cornet Compendium by Richard Schwartz; The Trumpet by Edward Tarr, and the Encyclopedia Britannica.
Interesting links:
http://robbstewart.com/Museum/19thCentury/GermanPostHorn.html
http://www.coachhorntootlers.com/

Recording Of Note:

The Art of the Post Horn - Douglas Hedwig & Jorge Parodi

MSR Classics MS 1184