Puckered Out

I have a Holton "Llewellyn Model" silver trumpet purchased in 1929. It is in excellent condition (no dents or scratches), and it's in the original case. It has had only two owners - my father and me. Limited research indicates that Holton made a "Revelation Model" endorsed by Llewellyn that sold in Standard for $87 and Deluxe (fairly rare) for $210 in the late 1920's. How can I find out exactly what I have?

I think my playing days are over, so I would like to either sell it or display it.

Puckered Out

ZeuSter

I'm not sure what the difference is, but the Lewellyn model is the trumpet that Renold Schilke patterned his B1 trumpet after. Lewellyn was Schilke's teacher.

Puckered Out

Holton Llewellyn Update: I just had this horn completely cleaned and lubricated, and it is absolutely like new. No silver wear, no dents, no scratches, smooth valves, no pitting and original springs. The technician said it is the Deluxe model because of the tuning mechanism and the gold plating inside the bell. I have no idea how my grandmother came up with $226 in 1929 to purchase this for my father. I think I'll keep it, but I'd love to hear from someone else who has one.

Puckered Out

W Scott

How does it play?

Bill

Derek Reaban

I know that this information isn’t specifically related to your trumpet, but I thought you might like to know about the ensembles that Edward B. Llewellyn performed with for some historical significance:


Edward B. Llewellyn
Principal Trumpet:

1908-1910….Pittsburgh Symphony
1911-1912….Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (Minnesota Orchestra)
1912-1933….Chicago Symphony Orchestra

royjohn

The Llewellyn Model is a very fine trumpet, a pro-line horn. If it really is in mint condition, including the valves being tight, it is worht somewhat more. I believe that the valves on this model were copper and were not plated. I'm not sure why this was done. I may have heard that these vavles are lubricated with water rather than needing oil, but I'm not usre about this. I have seen two of these and both had very worn valves, so I think the copper vlves didn't last very well.

The model you have, silver, with the gold wash bell, is probably not the DeLuxe model, however. Most good silver plated trumpets of the period had a gold wash in the bell. You might check comments on this model at trumpetreview.com The DeLuxe model was gold plated and engraved on the inside and outside of the bell --- and on the outside on the one that I have, the engraving of leaves and flowers goes all the way back to the bow bend. It's gorgeous. The receiver on these trumpets is different, too, it's conical without a gap to it. Mine was misshapen and had to be redone by Ron Pinc in his restoration of the horn. This horn plays very well, it's a large sympnic trumpet, but has a bright rather than an especially dark sound.

While I'm not positive, I believe the only difference between the standard and deluxe models is the finish, I think the one you have is a pro trumpet with a great sound. Since instruments in this era were all handmade, there is some variability, so how the horn actually plays needs to be determined by play testing.

In the year your trumpet was made, I believe that Schilke was studying with Llewellyn. He and Llewellyn used to visit the Holton factory together and Schilke would tweak horns for Llwellyn during these visits. Of course, later Schilke was instrumental in developing the Martin Committee and then started the Schilke factory, etc.

Despite its probably not being the DeLuxe model, I think you do have a find and something that could be a great player. Hope this helps.