Merf180

Just acquired this trumpet today and can't find anything about it online.

A note inside dated 1984 is from Gramps giving the horn to his grandson. He says it was purchased in 1927 for $100. There is also a photo postcard from 1928 of a band on a float in a parade, that I'm assuming Gramps was a part of.

The case is brown alligator, with a lock and fancy key that both work.

The number on it is 108102 - don't know if that's patent or serial - from my research, if it's serial then it doesn't fit with Gramps' recollection of the purchase in 1927 - and couldn't be in the 1928 picture.

So, any opinions on age? Model name? etc?

Vulgano Brother

Welcome to TM, Merf180! The horn is beautiful!

MFfan

Welcome! Great looking horn. I think the 108xxx number is the serial which would take it to the 30's. I don't find a trumpet that looks like that on Horn-u-copia and haven't seen a York product with the 3rd valve on the right side other than the feather touch cornet. I imagine the York expert OLDLOU will comment. Definitely and 20's-30's type design.

Toobz

That's a nice peashooter you've got there !

Merf180

Thanks for your responses - I look forward to seeing what the local York expert has to say!!

oldlou

I have only seen two or three of these, back when I worked for A.J.'Bill' Johnson in his retail store. Bill claimed that they were an "artist grade" horn, built to compete with some of the Olds and Conn horns of that era. If you go to Olds Central you will find the MIlitary Model that is of the same wrap. The Olds was made with a hand hammered bell that purportedly gave an even more brilliant tone. I currently own one of the Olds military Models and like it a lot, but, I am from the old school that wants a trumpet to have a brilliant tone, unlike the current trumpeters who want a trumpet to sound like a cornet. One of the signs of a York 'artist grade' horn is the mother of pearl inserts in the valve slide buttons. You have acquired a very fine old 'peashooter trumpet'. For your sake, I hope that the valve plating and resultant compression is still good. If it is, that old girl should be capable of burning the paint off of the wall behind the conductor, because of its superlative projection. It might not sound like much to the player, but, to the audience it will stick out from the modern trumpets in a section. I use my ancient Olds as a solo horn for playing in large church auditoriums. It, like your York is a superlative instrument.


OLDLOU>>

Merf180

WOW! Thanks for the info!

I am not a trumpet player, so this trumpet is for sale, as we purchase estate auction lots. It seems poor Grandpa Steed offered this great trumpet to his grandson, who didn't appreciate it as it so richly deserves.

We are not instrument collectors and want to see it get into the care of someone who will appreciate it as Grandpa Steed wanted.

Here's the letter included with the trumpet:

Interlochen, Michigan
Dec. 20, 1984

Dear Mike,

I have decided to give you my trumpet as a keepsake. My father paid $100 for it in 1927---a lot of money then. It was considered to be an excellent instrument at that time. However, I recently checked with two professional musicians from teh Music Camp and they recommended that I not try to fix it up. They say modern trumpets play easier.

I used the instrument for about five years. My brother and his son also used it. Bud learned to play it, too.

I hope you will keep this gift and someday pass it on down through your family.

Love,
Grandpa Steed

It's sad that it is out of their family - but I know there's someone out there who is willing to take this wayward trumpet in and give it a good home!

I'll be listing it on Ebay shortly, unless someone here has a better idea.

We get instruments quite often in our estate searches, so I'll definitely be back at TM with my next interesting find! Of course, student grade instruments are what we normally come across - but every so often - there's a beauty like this one.

Merf180

I just sent an email to the band director at the high school down the street to see if he/she would be willing to take a peek at the trumpet to see if they think the valves are in good shape or not.

It would be great if the band director is a trumpet lover!

School gets out at 3:17, so I hope he/she checks email before they leave!

oldlou

As the resident York man here and on Horn-u-copia I have a rather extensive collection of vintage York built trumpets and cornets. I would enjoy adding yours to the 'accumilation'. Rest assured that as a former employee at York and later employed by the general manager and owner of York in his retail Musical Instrument Exchange, as well as having spent two summer sessions at The National Music Camp at Interlochen, I would treasure and proudly display that elderly instrument by playing it periodically in both of the community concert bands that I am a member of, as well as to play it at some of the huge hymn sings that are held at one of our local 'mega churches' here in Grand Rapids, Mi.. Please give me a rice on your horn for my consideration.


OLDLOU>>

Scooter01

oldlou,
I'd like a shot at playing it next time I'm in Grand Rapids if you do manage to purchase it.
Brian