Expert: Kenton Scott - 3/29/2006

Question
I have a Boston Musical Instrument Company shepard's crook coronet.  It is silver plated and comes with two mouthpieces, two mouthpiece extensions and an extra tuning slide. It can be made to play in both the keys of B flat and C. The engraving on it says 1, then under that, NE Plus Ultra, and then Made by the Boston Musical Instruments Company. Also on the second valve the number 18436 is engraved. It is in very good condition with very few dents, but the spring in the third valve is dislodged and will need to be repaired in order to play properly.  I am wondering how much it is worth?

Thank you so much for you time
Chad Libbey

Answer
Hi Chad,

It was made in about 1908.  That model is a well known and respected model.  The company is also well known and highly regarded.  The most collectable horns made by Boston were the older ones and had Boston Musical Instrument Manuf'y engraved on them.  They changed the named in about 1902.  

I'm not sure what is wrong with the valve spring, but minor valve work and minor dents will not affect the value of the horn. And, it sounds like you still have all the associated optional parts.

I would not hazard a guess as to value without inspecting it.  But, I will note that there is a newer version of this instrument on eBay that you may want to keep in eye on to see what it goes for.  Being older and more complete, I would think that yours would be worth AT LEAST as much as what it goes for.

kms