Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/11/2006

Question
This Holton Trumpet was my daugther's Great Grand Dad. I talked to him concerning the trumpet and when he used it. According to him, before he died, he used it world war one while fighting on the front lines. I do not recall what he told me his exact task was as the player of this trumpet but I'm sure he used it in live action,(according to him). He retired as a General in the USAF. My daugther of 17 years died in a fatal car accident and some how, I was given the trumpet. I am a guitarist of 35 years but know nothing of trumpets or their value. Can you help me put an ID & Value to it? Discription of item: Silver Plated, 3 valves w/pearl tips. On the horn area, it is engraved "Holton-Clark" model. The serial number is 60454 with the letters "H-C" just above the company name. It also has a patient date of October 17th, 1911. I have what looks like the original case with two mouth pieces and a sheet music holder. It needs polishing like any silver that sits around but other then that, it appears to be in great condition. I thank you for any response! K.Castle

Answer
Hi,

Well, I'm afraid that some of the information doesn't seem to match up.  

Mr Clarke, was one of the most famous cornet players from around the turn of the century.  But, he didn't like trumpets, so I would strongly suspect that what you have is really a cornet.  Herbert Clarke played with Sousa, and was his cornet soloist for a number of years.  

Mr. Holton was also associated with the Sousa band for a while, but decided to turn to manufacturing.  Holton hired Clarke to test instruments and to endorse several models of cornets.  

(I think the H-C simply means Holton-Clarke.)

The patent date only tells you that it is no older than 1911.  It is the serial number that will give you a closer idea as to its age.  At that point in time, Holton seemed to be running two different serial lists  One would put this horn at 1920 and the other at 1922.  That is after the end of WWI.

One other thing, I think all musicians in the service, except maybe the band's director are enlisted.  

Clarke model horns show up on eBay fairly frequently, and that would be a good way to get an idea of its value.

kms