Expert: Kenton Scott - 1/31/2010

Question
I recently acquired an old three valve brass instrument. It appears to be brass with a nickel plating. Stamped on the bowl are the words Champion Chicago. It has engraved flowers and what appears to be some kind of grain plant around the horn as well as a zipper like hammered seam. Looks to be an upright horn. I would appreciate any help in dating this instrument or any other information you could supply.

Answer
Sounds like you have a Lyon & Healy instrument, Champion was one of their tradenames.

Lyon and Healy were in business in Chicago from 1864-1940.  They had a complex network of suppliers and sub-contractors.  And in the late 1800s, The company survived 4 different fires. Two were minor fires, and two destroyed the company's records.  And, later records were intentionally destroyed by the company to recover the space.   

They used a bunch of trade names, including: American Climax, American Conservatory, American Professional, American Star, Artiste, Champion, Henri Gautier, Inspiration, F. Jaubert, La Porte, New Champion, Universal, and Viruoso.