Expert: Kenton Scott - 11/6/2007

Question
My neighbor (in his eighties) has a King Cornet serial #38,468 indicating it was made between 1893 and 1915.  It is silver and in amazingly beautiful condition. It has the original case which is also in great condition.  He wants me to put it on Ebay for him, but I know little about musical instruments and don't want to steer him in the wrong direction. What I need to know is if it is a particularly rare item. I don't see others that old listed anywhere.  Can you help me?

Answer
Kathryn,

The information I have indicates that the Master was introduced in 1916.  So, it may be a bit newer than estimated by the serial number.  (The lists are not exact).  

If you take good clear detailed pictures of the horn showing both its features and flaws before putting it on eBay, the eBay buyers will naturally bring it up to its fair value.  There will be enough people interested to bring it up to a reasonable value.