Expert: jack wiard - 12/20/2011

Question
Hi Jack,

I am in the estate sale business and have a clarinet that is from the estate of a man who was born in Brussels.  He has a clarinet in a beautifcal case lined with crushed red velvet with leather handles.  The clarinet is marked: Manufactured by Jacques(?) (last few letters are hard to read) Albert Fil Bruxells
Has some star shapes also
We are trying to determine the age of the clarinet and if it has any collectibility - it appears to be wood with metal keys and trim.  The mouth piece is clear and is marked Tonalite Brilhart 4 and 185705.  
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Sara

Answer
Hello Sara,
Jacques Albert was a well regarded German instrument maker who made clarinets/oboes between 1890 and 1933 in Brussels and London...I could find no serial number lists for his instruments but in any case, you did not provide one...There are several clarinets of this maker on the internet now between US $940 and $1400.  These are in excellent condition. As your clarinet probably needs work,it would probably fetch $500-700....As to age,you could assume 1920-30...While these clarinets might be of interest to collectors, they do not play as well as the clarinets of today...Cheers   JACK