Antique Musical Instruments/1910 or 1920 brass sousaphone tuba

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Expert: - 3/26/2007


Question
I have found this brass sousaphone tuba in my grandmother's garage. It has the Wm. Frank Co. Chicago on the bell. Cannot find anything else except the mouthpiece has a 58 on it. Would you know anything about it or if anyone would be interested in it ? Thanks

Answer
That's a cool grandmother!  Mine just kept old furniture in her garage.

It wouldn't be any older than 1910, since that is when the company was started.  The company existed at least into the mid 1940's.  I've seen a number of Frank instruments, but not a sousaphone.  Would you be willing to send pictures?  (to Kenton@punxypa.com).  I could probably tell more about it by seeing it.

There should be a serial number on it, probably on the valve casings.  

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.

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