| Pepper info, anyone?
I found an absolutely gorgeous Pepper Surprise cornet in a pawn shop. It has quite a lot of engraving on all its tubes plus a uniquely beautiful patina on its silver plate. The bell interior is finished in gold. There doesn't seem to be a ding or dent in it. The valves need to be plated and turned, but, as is, the horn is easily playable and has a wonderful tone. In fact, I'm entranced by it. The one condensation valve needs a cork and a spring. There are no extra slides, fittings, or lyre. The SN stamped in it is 9909. The valves are stamped 52, 53, and 54 from first to third valve.
I covet this horn and would like to know more about it. Like, "is it worth the $1400 price tag. I already own a Holton cornet manufactured in about 1914, and it tunes down to A with a patented slide. It was reworked by Dick Akwright at Best Music in Oakland over ten years ago and still works very well, but to my unsophisticated novice eye this Pepper seems to be an amazing piece of work. Can anyone tell me anything about its history and/or value from its serial number (9909)? |