Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have my G.Grandfathers silver trombone. No serial numbers can be found on the bell. I have photos of him playing it in 1911 aboard commadore Perry's flagship. It is not laquered. It has as it's engraving "Professional" "JW York & Sons. Grand Rapids, Mich". There is a 1.5" trim of brass around the bell, and the contrasting embellishments surrounding the engravings also appear in a brass coloration. I would like to know any additional information you could provide, and where I might get an official evaluation of value, if you think it may be worth doing. Is just an old, run of the mill trombone?y

ANSWER: I'm not sure where York might have put his engravings on his early models, but you might want to try looking around where the two parts fit together.  Often trombones have their serials there.

You could check with
http://www.vintage-instruments.com


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

QUESTION: I found it where you said. The number is 42794. So besides that, is there anything else you may know about this model/year. Also would it be worth getting it appraised, and if so, where would you suggest. I live in Washington state. Thanks

Answer
How certain are you of the 1911 date?  How certain are you that it is this trombone in the picture?  The reason I ask is because we have attempted to construct a York serial number list and our current estimate for this serial number would be 1915.  

As far as evaluation, if it were mine, I would not take that step.  I would either want to keep it as an heirloom, and it wouldn't be worth so much to indicate an increase in my insurance.  Or, I would want to sell it, and in that case, using something like eBay would allow it to rise to a fair price naturally.