Expert: Kenton Scott - 9/21/2009

Question
I have purchased a valve trombone at an auction, and I would like to know more about the instrument, the manufacturer, etc. The brand just says "Champion", and the serial number is 62634. It doesn't have rotary valves, I guess these ones are called piston valves in English. Where is it made? Is it old? I bought it for playing on it, but any information about the instrument makes it more interesting.

Answer
I believe there was more than one company that used Champion.  One was Lyon & Healy of Chicago, although most their horns were imports.  As were the horns sold by Henry Grossman.  If it was one of these companies, it is old, but there are no serial number lists for either company.