Expert: Kenton Scott - 5/18/2006

Question
HI KENTON:

 I JUST RETURNED FROM A COUNTRY MUSIC STORE IN UNIONVILLE, PA.    I DROPPED OFF MY OLD TRUMPET & HE HAS A MAN WHO COMES IN EVERY TWO WEEKS TO PICK UP INSTRUMENTS FOR REPAIR AND RESTORATION.  HE WILL CALL ME WITH A PRICE & SEE IF IT IS WORTH REPAIRING.

   I PURCHASED THE TRUMPET IN 1951 FROM A CLASSMATE IN HIGH SCHOOL.   IT WAS ABOUT 10 OR 15 YEARS OLD THEN.  I WAS NEVER VERY GOOD PLAYING BUT FOR SOME REASON I HAVE KEPT IT ALL THESE YEARS.  IT IS IN POOR CONDITION BUT RESTORABLE, I THINK.

    RECENTLY, I REALIZED THAT THIS TRUMPET IS THE ONLY THING LEFT FROM MY YOUTH.   I AM 70 YEARS OLD NOW & NOT SURE WHY IT MATTERS BUT SOMEHOW IT DOES.

   THE MANUFACTURER IS  "W. FRANK" OF CHICAGO, ILL.   IT SEEMS TO BE OF GOOD QUALITY, BUT SO FAR, NO ONE HAS HEARD OF THIS NAME TRUMPET.


HOW ABOUT YOU???

    BERNIE FOSTER

Answer
Hi Bernie,

>HOW ABOUT YOU?

Well, let's see.  You've got about 10 years on me, I'm still playing, and I live East of you in Groundhog town, PA.  


Oh, you meant the trumpet . . . .

Yes, I've heard of William Frank.   In fact I've fixed several of his instruments.  And, you are right, they are good instruments.  

William Frank worked for Holton and in 1910 established his own business in Chicago. He used American Prep, Biltmore and Belmore as tradenames.  Not sure when he ceased operations, but I believe it was sometime after 1950.

If you tell me the serial number, I can give you an idea of when it was made.

kms