Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/20/2010

Question
WE HAVE AN INSTRUMENT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A EUPHONIUM.  IT HAS BEEN IN A STORAGE UNIT FOR OVER 50 YEARS.  WE ARE NOT ABLE TO READ TO MANY NUMBERS BUT DETERMINED THAT IT IS A CONN, MADE IN ELKHART, IN.  PATENTED JUNE 15, 1886.   THE ONLY NUMBER WE HAVE FOUND ON THE SECOND VALVE IS # 75848.  IF THIS IS THE SERIAL NUMBER IT LOOKS AS IF IT WAS MADE IN 1902.  WOULD IT BE WORTH HAVING CLEANED AND REPAIRED?

Answer
I would concur with you on age.  As to what to do with it, it sort of depends on your intentions.  If you plan on selling it - on eBay for example, - I wouldn't put much money into it.  Potential buyers will be able to assess the horn online; if you have good pictures.  And, they probably would prefer to have the lower price and do their own repairs.  In other words, you could repair it, but you probably won't increase its value as much as the repairs cost you.  But, you probably will find someone on eBay that will pay a fair price for it.  And, on eBay you won't have to worry about a fair price - it will likely rise to that level automatically.