Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/30/2008

Question
We recently purchased a York Baritone Horn.  It is silver in color.  It has the numbers NAQSS38 engraved under the rim.  The your logo is very fancifully engraved on the bell and the numbers 128376 are engraved under the logo.  It says Granad Rapids, Mich on the bell as well.  The 3 valves appear to be topped with pearl or a pearl like substance.  We are not trying to find a value (though it would be nice to know if it is worth having it refinished.  We are just trying to get a history and age on this instrument.  The person we bought it from also bought it used and didn't know anything of it's history either.

Answer
It was made in 1942, just a couple of years after the York Company was sold to Carl Fischer.  

The York Company was established in 1882 by James Warren York who had earlier worked for Boston Manufactory. First as a dealer and importer, and then opened a factory in 1885, assisted by Frank Holton for a year.  He changed the Co. name in 1900 to JW York and Sons. E.A. Couturier was a consultant from 1914-16.  He specialized in Cornets and Trombones until 1917.  

In 1926, the company was bought out from the York family, the company was known as York Band Instrument Co,and Alfred "Bill" Johnson became proprietor. after having previous been employed as foreman.