- Wurlitzer Serial Numbers
- Wurlitzer Lyric Cornet Serial Numbers Lookup
- Wurlitzer Cornet Serial Numbers
- Wurlitzer Lyric Cornet Serial Numbers Diagram
When I started researching the history of F.E. Olds and Son about 35 years ago, there was very little known about the early years of this company. I interviewed several former employees but was unable to get any specific dates of model introductions much less exact serial numbers. With the little information that I had and making a few guesses, I put together a few serial numbers with dates. When I got two pre-war catalogs I made guesses as to the dates that they were published. When others became interested in Olds history they added to what I had done. Unfortunately, my guesses were off by several years.
These were all honest attempts at adding to our knowledge, but unfortunately my early errors were magnified rather than minimized. This became more apparent when Dale Olson found out that fellow Olds alumni, Howard Wilson had an archive of photos and information from the factory that he saved when it was being thrown out. This included two log books with production or shipping records of the earliest Olds trumpets and cornets. I decided that we were overdue for a careful look at all the data that we had. I put together all of the relevant information from Dale Olson as mentioned, Alan Rouse of Olds Central, Eric Hamlin of The Olds Register and known catalogs in various collections. The following is what I have come up with. Please contact me with any additions and corrections.
- Antique M Dupont Paris For Sears Silver Cornet 12 photo. The Wurlitzer Lyric was made by Conn in the late 1800 and early 1900. It was made with a.459 bore. If that serial number is Conn's serial number and not Wurlitzer's then that horn was manufactured in 1879.
- Antique Wurlitzer Cornet 11 photo. Rudolph Wurlitzer Company Cincinnati Cornet 11 photo. Antique M Dupont Paris For Sears Silver Cornet 12 photo. Keat And Sons Field Trumpet/bugle Antique 3 photo. York & Sons Silver Trumpet C. 1908 Grand Rapids, Mi 10 photo.
- Information about model names not listed above is found on the Laureate page. For serial numbers for models 27, 40 and 45, see the Noblet 27 page. More serial number information is found on the Noblet N page.
- Antique brass instrument Wurlitzer Cornet, 1913, Silver Burnished serial #252627. Antique Conn 'Conn-Queror' cornet (serial number 87958) Details ».
Information about model names not listed above is found on the Laureate page. For serial numbers for models 27, 40 and 45, see the Noblet 27 page. More serial number information is found on the Noblet N page.
For now, The Olds Register, is not allowing additional entries, but it contains a wealth of information as it is.
Wurlitzer Serial Numbers
Some known dates stated below may be production or shipping dates and others are sales dates. Some are guesses based on models shown in catalogs, using earliest known examples. The rest are guesses based on rational analysis of production increases. The catalog that we previously dated 1930 or 1931 is after 1933 based on reference to Radio City Music Hall which opened that year. The catalog that was previously thought to be about 1930 (because I had guessed that a slightly later catalog was about 1932) is actually after the 1935 patent (applied and granted that year) covering the fluted trombone slide tubes that are introduced therein. Another catalog is actually dated 1939 and shows the Radio model cornet but still does not introduce the Super Recording trumpet and cornet.
Wurlitzer Lyric Cornet Serial Numbers Lookup
The Olds trombones had a separate series of numbers that started in the ‘teens and were higher than those of the trumpets and cornets through the 1930s and 1940s (about 10,000 by 1938). According to Olds employee, Don Agard, who was there at the time, all Olds brass instruments used a single series starting with 100,000 in 1953.
Please let me know of any other data that will increase the correctness of this list. An early 1945 date would be especially useful. The last date below is based on Uan Rasey's memory of getting his Recording model trumpet during his first year at MGM. Also, I know that the Recording cornet was redesigned in January of 1948 but the earliest that we know of so far is 53,871 and I'm guessing that it was made a year or so later and we will find earlier examples in the future.
The second list here is a serial number list from 1952 until the end of production was provided by Olds in the 1970s and has been included in the Allied Supply catalog since then is still believed to be completely accurate.
Anecdotal Information on York Band Instruments by Serial Number
List of York Instruments about which some information is known. A signature surrounded by parentheses indicates that the owner/contact did not provide an exact reading of the engraving.
Serial Number | Signature | Specifications | Comments |
None | A. DeMaer/ Paris J. W. York & Son Grand Rapids, Mich. Agents | cornet | No serial number. Stamped on back of valves: 18 17 16 and,underneath the 17, it is stamped 4 / P. |
1527 | The York Monarch made by J.W. York and Sons, Grand Rapids, Mich. | shepherd's crook cornet | Figure of a lion appears on the bell along with the engraving. Contact's father learned to play the instrument in the 1920's. |
2530 | The York Monarch made by J.W York & Sons, Grand Rapids Michigan | Bb cornet | Configuration is in the style of Distin instruments. |
2981 | Grand Rapids Band Instrument Company | Eb tuba | Instrument is both high and low pitch according to Arne Larson. Larson's date is 1916. Serial number and characteristics of construction do not jibe with York's serial number list. |
6039 | A. DeMaer Paris J.W. York and Son Grand Rapids Mich. Agents | cornet | Since the signature indicates J.W. York and Son rather than Sons, this instrument could have been made prior to 1898 |
6276 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Michigan | valve trombone | High pitch Bb Likely not any earlier than 1902, since that was the introduction date of the valve trombone |
6442 | J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | Bb cornet | Inscribed 'The York Monarch Large Bore.' |
6811 | (Monarch Wide Bore made by J.W. York and Sons) | Bb cornet | Instrument was used in a cornet band in Pennsylvania ca. 1903. Instrument comes with additional mouthpiece extensions , slide tubes and lyre in original case. Silver-plated brass. |
6855 | J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mi. | Eb tuba | Main tuning slide is very long. Originally had two slides. Original receiver was quite small. 4th valve slide tubing is on the back of the upper bow. |
6900 | The York Monarch Small Bore made by J.W York & Sons, Grand Rapids Michigan | Bb cornet | |
7000 | (York) | unk | Estimated by the owner to have been made in 1892 |
7354 | The York Monarch Large Bore made by J.W York & Sons, Grand Rapids Michigan | Bb cornet | |
7699 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | cornet | 'Professional' model instrument |
7882 | (York) | cornet | Uses design patented by Distin in 1882, which source estimates was probably not used by York until 1899 |
8466 | USA Line Made by Grand Rapids Band Inst. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich, USA | Monster Eb tuba | Tuning slide has low pitch tubing added (stockings) |
8487 | Monarch Large Bore Made by J.W. York & Sons, Grand Rapids, Mich. | Bb cornet | Instrument is shepherd's crook design and has a gold tint inside the bell (gold wash or polished brass). Instrument also has a detachable lead pipe and a split water key on the main tuning slide and the 3rd valve slide. |
8497 | (York) | shepherds-crook cornet | Key of B-flat/A, high/low pitch, two detachable leadpipes, forked water key, extra tuning slide, left-hand (mirror-image construction, burnished silver-plated finish, gold-wash bell, presentation inscription on bell: 'Presented to G. W. Duncan by Employes of Mendocino State Hospital, Dec. 25, 1903'; York 'Weldon Model' mouthpiece, cleaning rod, original case. Giulia passione maestra nds italia. |
9037 | (York) | Eb mellophone | Bears the inscription 'Kohler and Chase-distributors for Pacific Coast |
9058 | (York) | shepherds-crook cornet | 'Professional' model. Key of B-flat/A, high pitch, unlacquered brass. |
9095 | Professional made by JW York & Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | Bb cornet | Instrument comes with additional main slide and first and third valve slides. Mouthpiece is stamped 'E.B. Llewellyn Personal Model.' Square wooden case covered in black fabric with reinforced corners. Valve number and serial number are stamped on each valve inside the top cover. |
10088-10711 | (York) | trumpets | Cost new for these instruments was $97.69 |
10348 | (York) | trumpet | Cost new was $40 |
10521 | New Model Monarch made by J.W York & Sons, Grand Rapids, Michigan | Bb cornet | |
10895 | J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Michigan | cornet in Bb/A | Instrument has mouthpiece tuning bit as well as additional tuning slides. Silver-plated with gold-plated inner bell. Engraved 'Alfred Turner Nov. 27 - 05 Milwaukee, Wis.' |
11373 | (York) | shepherd's-crook cornet | 'Professional' model. Key of B-flat/A, high pitch, burnished silver-plated finish, gold-wash bell, full-body engraving (right side only), inscribed 'Kohler and Chase, Distributors for the Pacific Coast'; mouthpiece, original case. |
11413 | Made By J.W. York and Son Grand Rapids, Mich. | Eb tuba | High pitch? |
12076 | Grand Rapids Band Instrument Company | cornet | Wizard model cornet with 2 sets of slides, both high pitch and low pitch. Contact estimates the instrument was made between 1895 and 1905 |
13565 | York Monarch | unk. | |
13865 | J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | Bb cornet | 'Professional' model instrument. Instrument is low pitch. |
14086 | J.W York and Sons Grand Rapids, Michigan | baritone | Instrument came with two unmarked, ornate mouthpieces in original case. |
14685 | (York) | Eb tuba | Estimated by contact to be made between 1895 and 1905. Instrument is both high pitch and low pitch. |
15105 | made by J.W York & Sons, Grand Rapids, Michigan | Bb cornet | |
15603 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mi | Short model shepherd's crook cornet | Instrument has crooks in Bb and C with one removeable leadpipe, forked water key. Instrument is silver-plated with gold-plated accents on leadpipe, finger buttons, top/bottom valve caps, tuning slides, water key and inside of bell. Bore is .455. Instrument has been restored. |
16088 | Made by J.W. York and Son Grand Rapids, Mich. | Eb tuba | Mouthpiece is York and Sons. Arne Larson estimated date of manufacture as 1923. W-shaped tuning slide. |
16947 | J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich. | Bb/A cornet | 'Professional' model |
17320 | J.W. York & Sons made in Grand Rapids, Michigan | Eb alto horn | Valves are stamped 1,2,3. |
19385 | Made By J.W. Yorks and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich. | Eb tuba | Date of manufacture estimated by Arne Larson at 1910. Mouthpiece is stamped York and Sons. High pitch? Similar to the York model 30 in the Oliver Ditson Guidebook #2 from the 1920s. This instrument does not have the extra doughnut of tubing for conversion. |
19417 | (York) | Eb tuba | Estimated by contact to be made between 1895 and 1905. Instrument is both high pitch and low pitch. |
20166 | J.W. York and Sons | Bb baritone | Instrument is a 3-valve upright, silver-plated. This instrument does not bear the July 12, 1910 patent date. |
20348 | Professional Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | cornet in Bb/A | 'Speciale Style.' Bore is .465. fixed leadpipe, high/low pitch achieved with tuning slides, second leadpipe slide with mechanism for quick change to A. |
20385 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich. | Eb tuba | Three-valve top action. Bell is 20 inches. |
20686 | J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | Bb/A cornet | Instrument is HP/LP. Bears the inscription 'New Model Monarch'. |
21397 | New Model Monarch Made by J. W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | cornet | 'Monarch New Model' Bore is .465. Instrument is virutally identical to a 'Wurlitzer' cornet with which the owner is familiar. (The Wurlitzer is likely an unmarked York stencilled by the Wurlitzer company.) Instrument is identical to 20348. |
21733 | Empire earth art of conquest download itax. New Model Monarch made by J.W York & Sons, Grand Rapids, Michigan | Bb cornet | |
23915 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | Bb cornet | 'Professional' model. |
24487 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich. | cornet in C-Bb-A | Long model cornet. 'S' model. Bore is .435. Leadpipe has three slide crooks. Third slide bears Bb-A removable ladder. |
24602 | Made by J.W. York and Sons Grand Rapids, Mich | double-belled euphonium | Five valved instrument. #142 is stamped on fifth (selector) valve. The instrument looks like an 1895 Conn. The instrument has W shaped tuning slides. |
25330 | Grand Rapids Band Instrument Company. Grand Rapids, Mich | Eb tuba | |
25583 | USA Line Grand Rapids Band Instrument Company Grand Rapids, Mich. USA | Eb tuba | High pitch? Extra tuba added to the lead pipe to convert it to low pitch. |
Wurlitzer Cornet Serial Numbers
