from the Bruce Vermazen Research Papers on Tom Brown
Like the stencil copies of the Buescher saxophone that were produced for Tom Brown’s music store, other music products like this reed case were manufactured and branded with the Tom Brown name to increase their marketability. Saxophone reeds are made from Arundo donax cane, a plant that is native to the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin but also found in East Asia, the Caribbean, and the southern United States. New reeds must be soaked in water to soften their fragile tips so that they can vibrate freely when played. Because saxophone reeds can easily chip, instrument manufacturers frequently make specialized cases, like this one, to keep the reed undamaged when not in use.