King "Liberty Model" Trumpet

By robertsobaje, 31 July, 2008
Description

King Liberty Model trumpet manufactured by H.N. White Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.

It is solid-gold plated, as opposed to brass. The bell is engraved almost all the way back to the mouthpiece. The major defect is that the pinky finger ring/hook is missing. There are also several small dents in the bend in the pipe as it leaves the bell, back across from the mouthpiece. The serial number is stamped into the middle valve, left side, and that is 82687 L.

I may want to sell it, but I need to know its worth prior to making that decision.

 

 

Category
Music and Music Instruments
Medium
Gold Plated
Distinguishing marks
H.N. White, Cleveland, Ohio
Condition
Fair
Size and dimensions of this item
Standard Size Trumpet
Date Period
1900-1940
History
Gifted to me when I was 9 years old in Oakland, CA
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
Gifted to me 50 years ago
For Sale?
No

maskit

16 years 9 months ago

Hi: I was intrigued by your question, since I am a French Horn and previous cornet player myself, so went to search out what I could find about your trumpet. What I found was the website by HN White itself. I checked the serial numbers and crosschecked them with yours. According to the site, your horn was made in 1904-1906. It looks to me like your trumpet could be worth a pretty penny, especially with rehabbing. The good news is that this website also is a reseller of the vintage instruments. That is excellent news. I noted that one of their vintage horns was reselling for $3,000.00, an excellent price. When you consider that so many horns wind up as lamps. According to the website, these horns have a long and powerful history with many being played by some very famous people.

They ask that people be referred to their website and I actually believe this to be your best bet, whether you wish to rehab or sell your instrument. The website is http://www.hnwhite.com . This should take you there and provide you with all the provenance you should need for your instrument, whether you keep it, oil it up, repad it, fix it, and pass it to some lucky heir, or sell it.

I could say more about it if I saw a picture, i.e., playability and so forth, but this should get you on. It definitely should not be turned into a lamp :)  

  

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maskit

16 years 9 months ago

I need to stress that the horn I looked at was from 1932. I did not see any from your date, so it should be interesting to find out what the value winds up being for your horn. Again, good luck.
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