Expert: Kenton Scott - 11/20/2011

Question
I have purchased (for a steal) a Holton Cornet from ebay. The serial number is 22672. The bell is engraved Sherman Clay & Co.
San Francisco Cal. It is literally FLAWLESS!!!!! It has an origianal tag from Frank Holton & Co. Chicago that lists the date of sale as 11/4/12. It also has 2 original #27 mouthpieces, music lyre, lyre clamp, valve casing cleaning tool and high pitch slides.Case is a little beat, but has original handle! What can you tell me about this horn and/or Sherman Clay?
Sincerely,

Jay

Answer
That is interesting.  Most serial number lists are created after the fact and usually by fans and not the company itself.  But the Holton list is pretty specific, but it indicates that your horn dates to 1914.  I'd like to have photos of the horn and documentation. (If you care to, send them to Kenton@Horn-u-copia.net)

Sherman Clay is a very old music store.  They seem to be oriented more towards pianos, but were dealers in other instruments.  They are still in business, and trace their roots to the 1860s.