NEW YORKER Tenor Trombone

[EDB4203]

This Trombone is silver plated in good working condition having a 0.485 bore, bell of 7 inches a friction fit, includes a second slightly longer tuning slide and an engraving of the Empire State building with NEW YORKER included in it. The model number is 565, serial number is 1 and FOREIGN engraved as well. There is no way of telling on the instrument who made it. It seems to look similar to a GH Pace made in Sheffield. It was purchased by a musician friend’s grandfather around 1920, I was given it several years ago and always wondered about its history. Have considered OLD, King, Vincent Bach, Boosey and Hawkes, Buescher Grand, Strasser Marigaux, Lemare and GH Pace. This is a very rare historical instrument and would like to understand more about it because want to make sure it does not end up in a skip. If anyone can help or suggest how I might find out it would be most grateful.

[brassmedic]

Could be a Czech import, like this New Yorker trumpet: https://reverb.com/item/7574639-the-new ... t-new-pics

According to Trumpet Herald, they were made by made by Bohland & Fuchs in Graslitz, Czechoslovakia. https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/vie ... ?p=1648044

There is a print advertisement for these instruments for sale on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/153466394410

Probably not worth much, I'm sorry to say.

[EDB4203]

Thankyou brassmedic for your reply which has helped me to understand my New Yorker trombone probable history. I was given this instrument by a flautist freind of mine whose grandfather purchsed 1920's/30's she thought from somewhere in Sheffield, he kept this all of his life playing in Nottingham Borough Police Band. It is in excellent condition and plays easily with a good tone. Its nickel-silver plating is in excellent condition with an engraving of the Empire State Building with NEW YORKER engraved in it. In the original case there is a second tuning slide which must help to tune accurately, no mention in the advert. According to the advert by the American agent N.Shure Co Chicago It should have a slide lock which it does not also no mention of the model number which is 565. There is mention in the history of Bohler & Fuchs of a possible UK agent, it was not purchased in America, it's serial number is 1, clearly the first to be made. Have spent hours trying to find which manufacturer produced model number 565. This is clearly a very historic antique instrument, there are 4 old silver mouthpieces one of them is made by Stanely No 7. I have 3 images that I would like to include in the chat but can't see how to do it, one is the bell engravinng, the other 2 which are the trombone in the case with the second tuning slide and assembled to show its excellent condition.

[BGuttman]

The two slides allow you to either tune to High Pitch or Low Pitch. Low Pitch is closer to modern standard, High Pitch was used by Brass Bands until around 1970.

I find it hard to believe the serial number is 1. I would sooner believe the serial to be 565.

Enjoy playing the thing.

[brassmedic]

According to the advert by the American agent N.Shure Co Chicago It should have a slide lock which it does not also no mention of the model number which is 565.

It might not be the same make as the trumpet. It appears that name got used more than once. I found a "The New Yorker" trombone on Facebook Marketplace. It doesn't look like the N. Shure one. I don't know if this link will work for you, but it is here: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 2414393846.

Trombone parts are often stamped with assembly numbers, purely to keep track of the parts at the factory. I would not assume they are model numbers or serial numbers unless you have some reason to know that for a fact.

[LeTromboniste]

Yes, that No. 1 is more likely a part number than a serial number. It's unlikely you will be able to identify the manufacturer, because it was common for instrument retailers to purchase and stamp/engrave batches of instruments from a variety of different manufacturers, and there were many, many manufacturers of various size and capacity at that time.

Your instrument might be rare in the specific sense that you'll struggle to find another identical specimen of the same make with the same branding, but that doesn't make it actually rare in a broader sense of this instrument being special or valuable. Sounds like a typical stencil instrument similar to thousands of others. They usually have very little monetary value and are too small and old-fashioned to be useful in most modern settings, and too late and heavy to be desirable for historical performance. And the few people who would look for an instrument of this type for some niche use will typically be looking for one by a known and reputable maker rather than a stencil instrument by unknown maker.

I'm sorry to say. If it plays well, play it and enjoy it, that's what counts!

[AtomicClock]

I have 3 images that I would like to include in the chat but can't see how to do it

Once you've made three meaningful posts (you're at two now, so one more), you will be granted image attachment privileges.