Expert: Kenton Scott - 5/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: i have found a trombone in grandfathers house aftor he diad that i would like to know more about. it looks really old.  on the horn it has ALCAZAR and under that made in elkhart ind u.s.a there is a # on the slided 12341 i do not want to sell it but i would like to know what it my be wourth and do i need to insure it.  i never seen are hread of my grandfather playing a interment .and would like to know where it may have come from.

ANSWER: Alcazar was sold by the Williams Brothers between 1921-8.

Also the French company, Couesnon, also used the name as a tradename.  

Most Alcazars you see are Couesnons, but yours is a Williams Brothers product.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: where can i find out what it is worth. i tried e-bay but could not find it

Answer
No, I'm afraid that it is too obscure.  They might show up occasionally, but not often.  Here is a cornet from the same company:  http://www.horn-u-copia.net/instruments/misc/Alcazar-cornet-.jpg

You could try a company such as http://www.vintage-instruments.com, but I don't believe that it will be worth a lot.