Antique Musical Instruments/Boosey & Hawkes Trumpet

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Expert: - 8/9/2006


Question
Hi,
I have a Boosey and Hawkes silverplated "imperial" Trumpet. Serial number 181825 or 143251 (this number of center valve) I am not sure which is which. In beautiful condition, and interesting designs on horn. With origial B & H mouthpieces (2) Just wondering what the value and rarity of this instrument. I take wonderful care of it, and it has a wonderful patina to it. Orginal case is in poor shape but trumpet is nearly perfect.  

Answer
You may want to try the Boosey site to run your serial numbers at http://www.besson.com/SerialNumber2_Strings.asp  (I'm on a browser that won't run it at the moment).  

As to value, I'd suggest you watch completed items on eBay and see what similar instruments have sold for.  

Antique Musical Instruments

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Kenton Scott

Expertise

Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

Experience

I perform in several historical bands, have informally researched the area, repair brass instruments, and operate a Forum dedicated to the topic at http://horn-u-copia.net

Education/Credentials
B.S. Ed, M.S.

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