CONN WONDER CORNET - 105 YRS OLD AND STILL BEAUTIFUL ! Start Price USD 250.00 Current Price USD 265.00 Time Left - Bid Count 3 Buy It Now Price USD 600.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, September 08, 2008 End Time Monday, September 15, 2008 Location Windermere, Florida See more about 'CONN WONDER CORNET - 105 YRS OLD AND STILL BEAUTIFUL !' Description    This is an 1886 model Bb cornet with the low pitch slides. The serial number, 76928, indicates it was manufactured in 1903. Engraved on the bell, amid some fancy floral designs that go up all the way to the valves, is"THE WONDER CG CONN MAKER ELKHART IND."  The valve casing is stamped 1, 2 and 3,  "S", the serial number, and pat.june15, 1886. The serial number is stamped on the spring barrel of each slide. There are no other markings. The gold mouthpiece has a lot of fancy engraving and is marked "Conn Wonder Model".        This little cornet is in amazingly well preserved original condition. The silver plate is 99% intact. The gold trim is somewhat pale from countless cleanings or polishings,but is still on the finger buttons, valve top and bottom caps, wishbone water key, and inside the bell flare. Gold was also inlaid in the bell engraving but is now quite faint. Although I had them all freed last year, the slides are all stuck again except for the main tuning slide.There are no dents anywhere, although there are a few small dings and scratches as one may expect after over 100 years.There is no rot, and no evidence of heavy or sloppy repairs. There is an extra leadpipe for, I suppose, playing in "A".       Playing wise, the primitive constructed valves, although discolored, are still tight with very good compression and very good light action, and the horn plays very well with a real classic sound. One would have to look far and wide and have a lot of luck to find another classic cornet in this unusually good condition. In fact, it needs no restoration or work at all, except for freeing up the slides again, to take it right out of the case and start playing. Speaking of the case, it is old and primitive, the handle has rotted away, and the latches are finicky, but the main frame and the interior are still solid.         I accept paypal and, in the USA, US Postal money orders. Shipping in the lower 48 states is $20.00, and $45 overseas. No shipping to Italy, sorry. International bidders must use Paypal.On Sep-07-08 at 19:07:24 PDT, seller added the following information: thetachi Store Place a Bid!