Here comes my two (copper) cents worth.  I have had a lot of
plating done for car restoration.  My shop guy (Arliss at Advance
Chrome Plating in Nashville) says that _all_ commercial chrome
plating is so-called triple chroming, involving the aforesaid layer
of thick copper for build-up, polishing, nickel for color and chrome
for protection.

I had a few parts nickel-plated for a 1930s car and at first they
looked as if they were chromed.  Arliss "allowed as how" (which is
how Arliss communicates!) all he did was to leave off the chrome layer
and that I should just wait a while.  About a year later the parts
started to dull.

Robbie and all, regarding mouthpieces: _Never_ use a brass mouthpiece
on which the plating has worn off.  The bad taste is a message.  There
is, among other things, lead in the brass alloy and historically this
has led to some poisoning cases.  Chrome, silver or gold are fine
topcoats.

Off-topic, I am desolate to hear of Marc Elbasani's death.  He was
a fine guy, and we shared a mutual admiration for the Tilden organ.

A. B. Bonds