Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/16/2009

Question
I have a J.W. Pepper Perfected slide trombone #45937.  It also has Philadelphia printed on the bell.  What can you tell me about it (date? general worth?,etc.)

I also have a gold colored, ornate trumpetby G.C. Conn. It has flowers engraved over the bell and neck of it.  It also has Union Label on it and the word patented under the numbers 135556. Again, any information is appreciated.

Both of these instruments belonged to members of my mother's family who played in a band in the late 1800's or early 1900's.

Answer
Well, let's see

The Pepper is around the turn of the century

The Conn is from 1914.

I'm guessing that the Conn is actually a cornet, and is probably worth more than the Pepper.  Conn tends to retain value more than Peppers, and old cornets tend to hold more value than old trombones.  (Sadly, since I'm an old trombone player!)