Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/24/2006

Question
i have a coronetmade by the meredith band instrument co. purchased in 1914.  on the bell it says the meredith open tone coronet, marion,o.  it has a couple of very small dings.  all the parts are there, including an extra u shapped thingy, extra mouthpiece and music holder.  its in its original case.  i also have a letter signed by the president of the company saying it was shipped on 12/23/14.  also the original instructions for breaking it in.  i even have pictures of the original owner with the instrument.  what do you think its worth? i live in a small town miles from anywhere.  how would you market it?  thanx, toni

Answer
You have what is a potentially interesting bit of history.  The Meredith company invented the Open-Tone Cornet, which was a cornet with separate bells for several registers.  They were in Marion OH from 1907 - 1920, then they moved to California.    The instructions and letter should add to its value, as does all the original accessories.  

That being said, I would not hazard a guess as to what you might get for it, but I would suggest that if you take good detailed pictures, and a clear write up on what you are selling, I suspect that you would do as well on eBay as anywhere else.