Fair value - moved from Trumpet Discussion Forum

[brian faust]

Can any one help with afair value on a trumpet made by the john heald co. Spring field mass american premier model #57844 date of patent 1884 2 mouth peices completley over hauled in 1981 in like new condition my grandfather was in the us. Army band corps from 1916+ to 1919 thanks

[MFfan]

Welcome to the Forum. We don't get many queries on Heald horns. Here is a link to the Horn-u-copia information and photos of various models. From the data thee I think you can infer the trumpet was made in the early 20th cent., maybe around when he played in the military band.
The trumpet is only worth what someone will pay for it, of course. If it were me, I would but it up on Ebay and include good photos of many angles of the horn, together, with valves and slides pulled, etc. and emphasis the restoration job details and the quote from the HUC about Heald's background, horn quality and collectors' desireablity. Some Heald and vintage collectors may surface that really want the instrument.
http://www.horn-u-copia.net/cgi-bin/...num=1129725642
http://www.horn-u-copia.net/cgi-bin/...num=1205089021

If their could be a player familiar with the qualities of the trumpet that could comment on those aspects it may be a plus. We are always comparing notes on horn's playing qualities all the time here.

[lovevixen555]

It is unfortunate but MFfan struck the nail on the head it is only worth what someone will pay for it. So really Ebay is the best way to figure out what it is worth. If you are hopeing to make a fair bit of money it is probably not going to happen. Only a small handful of instruments ever seem to comand a consistently high price the rest vary from $25-$150 dollar's is the average ball park for a not so heavily sought after trumpet. Younever know though their is always those lurkers that really want someting and will drive the price up higher then you thought.

[daniel starz]

Originally Posted by brian faust

Can any one help with afair value on a trumpet made by the john heald co. Spring field mass american premier model #57844 date of patent 1884 2 mouth peices completley over hauled in 1981 in like new condition my grandfather was in the us. Army band corps from 1916+ to 1919 thanks

hello Brian
some thing this old i feel is worth more than a few hundred dollars , any old cornet , trumpet has a value beyond one made in the 50's and 60's . Ebay will not really tell you what the horn value is only who is on line that day or week but worth the effort ,
why not post some nice photos of it here or in classified ?
go to horn-u-copia ,, trumpet herald ,, post photos ask questions , try any history buffs, world war one buffs. the horn has a traceable history a verifiable story , and rebuilt . in my mind, if it was mine $500.00 to $1000,,any thing you feel it is worth, you will only get what you ask .
i am sorry to mislead you in any way ,, just my 2 cents

[daniel starz]

Originally Posted by brian faust

Can any one help with afair value on a trumpet made by the john heald co. Spring field mass american premier model #57844 date of patent 1884 2 mouth peices completley over hauled in 1981 in like new condition my grandfather was in the us. Army band corps from 1916+ to 1919 thanks

Brian
i just logged in to horn-u-copia , very interesting information , your very lucky to have a nice piece of history .
when and if you like to sell this let me know ,, thanks !!