Expert: jack wiard - 2/6/2012

Question
Hi Jack,

my girlfriend has a hawkes and son clarinet, we are trying to find out a bit more information about it, such as age, cost, whether we should insure it, and wondered if you could help. It has hawkes and son, makers, london, 8402 inscribed twice on it, but i havent an idea where to start looking for info. i have pictures of it if you have somewhere i can send them. i  really hope you can help

Many thanks,

Rob Wookey

Answer
Hello Rob,    The Hawkes and Son company manufactured clarinets under that name until 1930,when they merged with Boosey to become Boosey and Hawkes...The Hawkes clarinets were considered a good instrument in its time, but would not stand up to a modern clarinet due to all the design features and pitch improvements of todays clarinets...Dealers might be willing to pay up to 500-700 pounds for your clarinet,if in excellent condition...As over 15,000 of these clarinets were made, yours would be from 1919-1920...Cheers   JACK