| Hi Ed, yes I have been lurking rather than posting too much lately - I have been very busy since I got back from Japan, what with selling my house and starting work on 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' at the Royal National Theatre ( more about that show later).
My first decent instrument was a B&H Imperial Long-model Cornet which my parents bought for me in about 1970 when I was 7 years old. It was finished in frosted silver plate with shiny accents (a bit like the highlighting on my Eclipse) and, unusually for the time had 1st and 3rd valve triggers. It was definitely considered the top of the range made by B&H at the time and was my transitional instrument from cornet to trumpet.
I have not seen an Imperial flugel but I would suspect that it is also a pretty decent instrument of its kind. However I am sure it would appeal more to the brass band market rather than to the comercial or jazz players of today. I may be wrong but I woiuld not expect to pay more than £100/£150 for a horn like that - but of course if somebody is really after a particular horn they may pay much more.
In my opinion the Hawkes flugel is a much more interesting instrument - an earlier and more elegant design - I love the symetry of that horn - and I know they play beautifully ( my Dad has one in his collection of vintage English brass instruments - about 80 horns and counting). I think that if the Imperial plays well then it would be good to sell it on to someone who will get some enjoyment from using it, but I wouldn't bank on making a fortune from the sale.
All the best, Noel. |