Determining
the exact manufacturing date of a York instrument made in Grand
Rapids, Michigan is problematic because no factory records from the
original York Company have survived on which to base such an inquiry.
Apparently somewhere during the transfer of the company from Carl
Fisher to Tolchin Instruments, the original records were lost,
misplaced, or destroyed. The challenge is further compounded by the
existence several companies that have used the name "York"
since then, including Boosey and Hawkes, the American company Brook
Mays and the manufacturer Schreiber & Keilwerth in
Markneukirchen, Germany. Since Carl Fischer chose to outsource some
York models and use assemblies from other companies under their
control, (such as Blessing and Boehm and Meinl) trying to make sense
of anything not built completely in Grand Rapids has been
lightheartedly compared to attempting to herd cats.
Instruments
produced by Grand Rapids Band Instrument Company, though made on the
same York manufacturing lines by the same craftsmen (64),
apparently had their own set of serial numbers (63). So
did many of the stenciled instruments made by York. It does appear,
using the data collected (RSYII),
that former Grand Rapids Band serial numbers were re-integrated
around 1940.
This guide then, confines itself to York
instruments made while York had an instrument making factory in Grand
Rapids, Michigan. Following this list is the methodology that
was used to create it. This guide was started with the 136
instruments that Dr. John Swain had provided sufficient information
on in his Anecdotal
Information on York Band Instruments by Serial Number. As of
August 2020, over 6,400 instruments have been logged with the “York”
name and of these, nearly 5,200 or more are thought to be Grand
Rapids plant instruments that were made until the plant was closed in
1971 (SW).
It
must be noted that serial numbers are NOT assigned as instruments
leave the factory, but rather at the start of the manufacturing
process as a way to identify them while the instrument is BEING
manufactured. Even when shop records survive it has been normal
for people to caution that a date of plus or minus five years is most
accurate when trying to generalize any build date to instrument
relation. York, however, had enough patents to supplement other
anecdotal information, and I am fairly satisfied that, outliers
notwithstanding, the resulting list is accurate to within a year or
two for normal production.
For more information, go to
the Register of Surviving York Instruments and Items (RSYII).
This page lists known and reported York instruments as a service to
those researching York and owners of York instruments. The source of
the information is listed, and whenever possible the serial numbers
have also been verified visually. Instruments made after Carl Fischer
took control of York are included, but those obvious serial number
conflicts and those made elsewhere are confined to their own
section.
If you note any discrepancies please contact
us here at Horn-u-copia.
Additionally, we would
like to ask anyone who owns a York horn not listed to contact
us with the form of the York name used, type of instrument,
pictures if possible (phone photos are fine) and serial number
(etc.). It is always nice to add to our lists using privately owned
horns and not just those that are being sold, and we are very
grateful to the many owners that have added their instruments to our
research.
year | number |
1882-1899 | unserialized |
1890 | 1 |
1891 | 100 |
1892 | 225 |
1893 | 375 |
1894 | 525 |
1895 | 650 |
1896 | 800 |
1897 | 900 |
1898 | 1025 |
1899 | 1200 |
1900 | 2650 |
1901 | 4100 |
1902 | 5550 |
1903 | 7000 |
1904 | 8700 |
1905 | 10400 |
1906 | 12200 |
1907 | 14000 |
1908 | 15800 |
1909 | 19400 |
1910 | 23000 |
1911 | 26600 |
1912 | 30200 |
1913 | 33800 |
1914 | 37400 |
1915 | 41000 |
1916 | 44000 |
1917 | 47000 |
1918 | 50000 |
1919 | 53400 |
1920 | 56900 |
1921 | 60500 |
1922 | 65000 |
1923 | 69500 |
1924 | 74000 |
1925 | 78500 |
1926 | 82500 |
1927 | 86000 |
1928 | 89500 |
1929 | 93000 |
1930 | 96500 |
1931 | 99500 |
1932 | 101500 |
1933 | 103500 |
1934 | 105500 |
1935 | 107500 |
1936 | 109500 |
1937 | 111500 |
1938 | 114500 |
1939 | 117000 |
1940 | 120500 |
1941 | 124000 |
1942 | 128000 |
1943 | - |
1944 | - |
1945 | 131000 |
1946 | 135000 |
1947 | 140000 |
1948 | 146000 |
1949 | 153000 |
1950 | 161000 |
1951 | 167000 |
1952 | 174000 |
1953 | 180000 |
1954 | 186000 |
1955 | 192000 |
1956 | 199000 |
1957 | 205000 |
1958 | 211000 |
1959 | 217000 |
1960 | 223000 |
1961 | 229000 |
1962 | 235000 |
1963 | 241000 |
1964 | 246000 |
1965 | 251000 |
1966 | 256000 |
1967 | 261000 |
1968 | 265000 |
1969 | 269000 |
1970 | 272000 |
1971 | 275000 |
- Mike Keller
My primary source for
the much of the initial information contained here was Dr. John
Swain’s J.W.York
Research Site. I also have been collecting
information about York instruments and documentation (RSYII)
for about 17 years (including those instruments in my personal
collection).
Using these specific instruments, their 18
patents, the licenses that York used, the forms of engraving and
contemporaneous paper documentation I have attempted to transform Dr.
Swain’s Provisional
Serial Number List into something more definitive.
In 1887 the company was renamed "York &
Son" in recognition of JW York’s son, Charles E. becoming
a principal in the company (SW).
By 1890 York was operating a
repair plant and making a few small instruments (cornets and
trombones). New models were added until 1898 when the company was
making a complete line of cup mouthpiece brass instruments."(45)
In 1894 York hired workmen from Courtois
and Besson (S21), so they were obviously involved
in brass manufacture. Seven instruments have come to light bearing
the "York & Son" name as makers which are unserialized.
One of these is a beautifully made slide trombone, highly embossed
and engraved with a lake scene which is owned by the author.
All four "DeMaer" instruments are
marked with "York & Son" as agents (RSYII)
and also have no obvious serial numbers. The New Langwill Index has no mention of any "DeMaer",
in Paris, nor anywhere else (NLI). It is the
author’s assumption then, that these may have been also of
early York construction. No "DeMaer" instrument has yet
surfaced which does not bear the York name.
In 1897 Alfred J. "Bill" Johnson becomes company foreman
(SW, MK).
The oldest "York & Son"
instrument that I am aware of is an "Imported By” cornet
bearing serial number 80 (RSYII).
A York advertisement in the Music Educators Journal
states that the 3 winners in the “Old York Instruments In
Service Today” contest all had serial numbers in the 7xx range
and were produced in 1894 (MEJ). Cornet 910
(RSYII)
has “York and Sons” engraved on the bell, but has “York
& Son” on the valve block, so it must have been made very
close to the name change. Working backward at this approximate build
rate would put the beginning of serialization at 1890, which would
conveniently coincide with York’s description in the Grand
Rapids Herald (S45). This sequence
continues until the plant is closed.
In 1898 the company
is renamed "York & Sons" in recognition of JW York’s
second son (Frank W.) becoming a principal in the company (SW).
The oldest "York & Son"
instrument that I am aware of is a cornet bearing serial number 910
(RSYII).
The company, with experienced personnel, is well positioned to have
an established run rate as it enters the twentieth century, not only
having the main office and factory in Grand Rapid, Michigan, but also
a branch office in Chicago (YMJ). In fact, the 1898 edition of York’s
Musical Journal contains references to York having built and sold Eb
soprano and Bb cornets, band and orchestra horns, baritones, slide
trombones and also Eb and BBb basses. In the same publication
soloist Steve Crean "agrees to select and test all Cornets made
by us". It also describes hiring a Mr. W. A. Goble as head of a
testing department and being responsible for testing each BBb bass,
Eb bass, baritone, and slide trombone.
York & Sons
cornet numbered 1266 was "Presented to C.S. Miller by the CC
band in November 1899" (YL).
1902 marked the introduction of the valve
trombone. The earliest recorded example so far is numbered 6372
(RSYII).
In 1903 the "Professional" model cornet was announced and
put into production (7).
The earliest such cornet recorded thus far (RSYII)
is numbered 7040.
There is also a cornet numbered 8497,
which is engraved as being presented on Christmas, 1903 (JS/aI).
Therefore it was undoubtedly made before that date.
In 1908, the present plant at 1600 South
Division Avenue was built. York produces 300 instruments per month.
There are 130 workers. (S22)
The
oldest instrument having the High/Low Pitch change loop engraved "pat
July 12, 1910" recorded thus far (RSYII)
is an Improved Band and Orchestra Horn numbered 23877. They would not
know of the actual status change of the patent (and therefore marked
"pending") until July 12, 1910, so that any horn so marked
should have not been made before the July date.
In 1911 the Grand Rapids Band Instrument
Company was founded with the same owners at the address
(BMIMHP).
York
advertised that "1912 was largest volume year in the 30-year
history of the company, but 1913 will be larger" (18)
In
1913 came the announcement of the Al-Tru cornet (20),
the oldest of which recorded thus far is numbered 36738
(RSYII).
Since
most of the 100xx series "Couturier Wizard" cornets are not
marked with Couturier’s
patent (Sep 23, 1913) , I have placed them in 1913. The
normally numbered "Couturier Wizard" cornets I have placed
in 1914.
In 1914 the factory was making 39,600
instruments per year (S22).
A guarantee certificate for cornet 41607
dated 9/21/1915, "#95 Cornet Outfit--C" (RSYII).
Tuba 52796 is described as: "Owner told
by a former York employee that the SN places the date of manufacture
about 1917" (YRS/aI)
Saxophone 50012 "comes with an original
authenticating letter from the York Company... that states the
saxophone was new in 1918" (RSYII).
In 1926 the company name changed to York
Band Instrument Company (S24),
and the first such engraved instrument recorded (RSYII)
is numbered 89367.
York was awarded two saxophone
patents concerning tone holes in the later part of the
1920s: 1690862 and 1673195.
York alto saxophone 92259 is reported to have unusual tone holes, and
the marking "pat. apld. for". These patents were applied
for in 1925 and 1926 and granted November 6, 1928, and June 12, 1928,
respectively.
BBb Tuba 91818 was made in 1928 and was
dated though contact by Dr. Swain with the original owner (JS/aI).
The “York and Sons” signature is
used until 1928 (S30).
The oldest recorded engraving thus far is Bass 89379 made in 1927
(RSYII).
112,000
at ca. 1937: An instrument with this approximate serial number was
dated through contact with the original owner (JS/PSN),
"Bill" Johnson's Airflow design patent for trumpets and
cornets was filed Nov 24, 1939, and issued Apr 2, 1940.
The earliest such horn that I have recorded is cornet 120319
(1937?), which is constructed to this design including a
reverse-rolled rim, but is not marked "Airflow". The
latest horn marked "Airflow" is trumpet 124155(1940).
What was the delay in production? In December 1940 York was sold to
Carl Fischer Musical Instruments (SW), but Bill
did not transfer his design patent along with the company (62).
The result of this, I can only assume, is the cause of conventional
cornets being engraved with the "Airflow" name in the
1950s.
York company was purchased by Carl
Fischer. There is a plan to double production and employment”
(46).
In 1950 serial numbers were in the
150,000 range (S10).
186549 @ 1953: This is based on an invoice
for a part for an instrument with this serial number (48).
In 1964 the York company is dissolved in
Michigan (S9)
and registered in the State of New York (S25)
In
1957, a cornet and a trumpet, both with the number 207xxx, were
chosen by the original owner at the plant from current production,
per the 2nd owner (RSYII).
In 1970, York is sold to Tolchin
Instrument Company (S24). In 1971, Tolchin
Instrument Company closed the factory. (SW)
The
numbers for 1958-1971 are very subjective. They were created by
taking the last number I have obtained in what seems to be an
unbroken sequence of serial numbers (up to cornet 325547 (RSYII)),
and distributing them until the factory was closed in 1971.
Relationships with Blessing, Boehm & Meinl, and other
manufacturers were created once Carl Fischer took over the company in
December, 1940 (46).
Proprietary
rights were ultimately purchased in 1976 by Boosey and Hawkes
(SW)
Update 1: 6 Jun 2010 Add “York &
Son” years to beginning of guide, which begins start of
serialization.
Update 2: 17 Oct 2011: Make adjustments to years 1906-1915 for the first
appearance of the 1910 High/Low Pitch loop patent 963768, build of
the Couturier "Wizard" in 1913-1914, sales receipt &
warranty dated 8/26/1911 for cornet 28582, and license of the William
S. Haynes Drawn Tone Holes patent 1119954,
which was issued Dec 8, 1914. Adjustments also to years 1929-1940 to
accommodate Feather-Touch instruments which are marked "Pat Apld
For”. Patent number 1922685 was
filed on Sep 26, 1931 and was granted on Aug 15, 1933.
Update 3: 4 Aug 2020: Changed
footnotes and research to be consistent with Dr. John Swain’s
York Research Site. Noted record collection now of over 5,200
Grand Rapids instruments and added new sections (5. Mouthpieces &
6. Miscellaneous York items).
Created new introduction including explanation use of serial
numbers. Added new documentation
for start of serialization and revise entire chart with information
in the Surviving Instrument record.