Expert: Kenton Scott - 8/22/2009

Question
Hello, Mr. Scott. My aunt inherited an old trumpet from an old friend. She took it to a person recommended for antique instruments. He took it apart and advised us that it was made in Czechoslovakia as indicated on the instrument and that it had a story behind it. He says it was constructed in 1370 (I highly doubt this; I haven't seen the number myself but my aunt says its true) and was taken across the Atlantic to Buenos Aires, Argentina for a tournament of some kind. The winner of that tournament received this trumpet as a trophy in 1878 (also indicated on the flowery design).

Here are a couple of links to ones I've found on the web that look similar to the one my aunt has:

http://cgi.ebay.com.my/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390083353020

http://cgi.cafr.ebay.ca/VINTAGE-antique-TRUMPET-w-case-SYMPHONY-Czechoslovakia_W...

I believe the trumpet valves are made of mother of pearl. The end of these valves have numbers. From the left 142, 143 with a 2 below and the last valve is 144.

Now my question is, Is this trumpet really that much older than 1878? If it was indeed made in 1370 than I would say it is worth a lot more than I thought. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken  

Answer
Well, snort!

Trust your suspicions.  

Considering the fact that valves weren't invented for brass instruments until the mid-1800's, it is quite impossible for it to be any older than that.  Additionally, the type of valve on your examples came along even later than that.  

The McKinley Act of 1891 required that all instruments be labeled with information on where it was manufactured.  

A later law (1923) added "made in ". . . to the requirement.

Czech made instruments, though some are decent instruments, are generally not particularly collectible.