Lewin Bros True Perfection

Lewin Bros “True Perfection” vintage alto saxophone, manufactured in the USA by Martin and supplied for Lewin Bros of 17 Moor Street, London.

This is a particularly interesting and unusual vintage American alto which was manufactured by The Martin Band Instrument Company for the British market and sold under the Lewin Bros “True Perfection” name.

The bell is beautifully engraved:

LEWIN BROS
17 MOOR ST
LONDON
ENGLAND

The rear of the instrument is additionally marked “Lewin True Perfection”, together with serial number 181997 and “Made in USA”.

Martin are well known to have manufactured saxophones for Lewin Bros, and surviving Lewin instruments from this period can be found with Martin factory serial numbers and characteristic Martin construction.

Although carrying Lewin's own branding rather than the Martin name, this is therefore a Martin-manufactured saxophone, rather than a British-made student instrument.

Condition and servicing

The saxophone has been carefully serviced, regulated and play-tested and is now playing very nicely throughout its full range.

It arrived in fairly good mechanical condition and did not require a complete overhaul. The existing pads remain in good usable condition; several have been carefully re-floated where necessary and the instrument has been regulated to achieve a good seal and reliable action.

The mechanism has been checked and adjusted throughout and the saxophone is ready to play.

Cosmetically it presents very attractively for an instrument of this age, retaining its lovely vintage silver-plated appearance and clear engraving. There are, naturally, signs of age and previous use, and I would encourage prospective buyers to study the photographs carefully as these form an important part of the description.

Original Lewin Bros case

An especially nice feature of this particular instrument is its period case carrying a Lewin Bros badge.

This provides a lovely connection with the instrument's original British history and makes the saxophone particularly interesting as a complete period package rather than simply a surviving Martin stencil.

The case naturally shows considerable signs of age and use but remains an attractive part of the instrument's history.

The Lewin / Martin connection

Lewin Bros were a well-known London musical instrument retailer based at 17 Moor Street, London, and sold saxophones under their own Lewin and “True Perfection” branding.

Like many prominent musical instrument retailers of the period, Lewin commissioned instruments from established manufacturers rather than manufacturing all of their saxophones themselves.

Martin was one of the companies which produced saxophones for Lewin, and surviving examples are known carrying Lewin branding alongside Made in USA markings and Martin factory serial numbers.

This makes the instrument an interesting combination of American saxophone manufacture and British musical history.

Saxophone, crook and case included. Stand, mouthpiece and harness not included.

Collection, inspection and play-testing are very welcome.