I acquired a very rare trombone at an auction. I sent it in to a professional restoration company and had it restored to perfect condition. The owner of this restoration company said he has never seen a trombone like this in his entire career. Although the trombone is marked “3”, there is no lettering system. The serial number puts the trombone at one year (1920’s) but other attributes put it at 1914. The restoration owner tried appraising the trombone but due to its uniqueness he was unable to. The best he was able to do was say he is pretty certain it is a prototype trombone that CG Conn made to test out the new Trill Valve tech they were introducing at this time period. The trombone is a silver color, free of dents and damage, fully restored to mint condition, has a very unique sound, has the trill valve add on, is symphony grade and has a mark referring to a popular trombone musician at the time - not sure if this was played by him or not but being a prototype might have led to professional practice and testing. I am interested in obtaining an appraisal and doing the consignment option. The best value I can put on the trombone comes from an Antiques Roadshow appraisal of a similar but much less unique & newer trombone which was valued at 10,000
Dimensions
Will send - waiting on trombone to arrive from restoration
Acquired From:
Auction House
Hi Derek, Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. I've seen the Antiques Roadshow appraisal, which was for insurance at $10,000, which based on the industry multiplier, put a fair-market / auction value on that same horn, at the time, of $3,000-5,000. I've not found another trombone selling at auction for more than $1,200 (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/59450743_symphonic-bass-trombone-vincent-bach-corp-elkhart) but I'm willing to give yours the benefit of the doubt with a fair=market valuation of $4,000-6,000. Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is: An antique CG Conn prototype trill valve silvered brass trombone circa 1910-1925 / first quarter 20th Century (to cover all bases) etched bell, tube above slide impressed "S. / INNIS / 115249" Total length - 44 inches; bell diameter: 6-5/16 inches CONDITION: fully restored to mint condition, with a very unique sound PROVENANCE: acquired at an auction in Wisconsin $4,000-6,000* *represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary. Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
