Expert: Kenton Scott - 12/11/2006

Question
I found a nice-looking and well-maintained, but clearly very old, trumpet in an antique store in North Carolina. Engraving on the bell says Harry Poddler & Sons, Elkhart. It is SN 22537. (Or maybe it's Harry Peddler; not sure my handwriting).

I never heard of this brand trumpet. Do you know anything about it?

Just curious. (My own horn is a Connstellation long cornet, purchased in 1960).  

Answer
Hi,

The maker's name is Pedler.  

Harry Walter Pedler established his business in Elkhart in 1919, after previously working for Rudall, Carte, & Co., and Conn.  The company started as American Manufacturing with Gronnert in 1916 but with the death of Gronnert, company was renamed Harry Pedler Co.

Pedler retired from his own company in 1930

ART Musical Instruments was founded in 1932 by F. A. Buescher after he left the Buescher company. By 1934, Harry Pedler was vice-president, and after Buescher died in 1937, the company became Harry Pedler & Sons

Pedler and died in  1950.    

In 1958, Selmer purchased the Harry Pedler and Sons brass plant on Superior Street, Elkhart.

Pedler instruments are said to be good quality instruments.