Hi,
King never sold these little gems to the public, but Mr. White gave 'em as gifts to their artists, friends, vendors, etc. Possibly less than 100 were ever made in the '30's and '40s.
They came trimmed out to look like King's full size trumpet of the year the mini was made and I have seen a couple of different looks.
I, like everyone else on the planet who knows about 'em, would love to have one. They play very well and could definately be used in place of a standard Bb (only) piccolo trumpet.
I think the horn would be a hit, though with a modest market, if it were re-introduced. The HN White company was sold decades ago though to UMI so don't expect this little puppy to have offspring.
The whole horn, including their stock mouthpieces, were scaled down! I know one guy who had Warburton make him custom backbores that fit his TWO minis. Here I'm playing one of those two, at a collector's meeting in 2002. Great playing "piccolo!"
Tom Turner
Vintage Horns Forum Moderator