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Up for sale is a beautiful piece of late 19th-century American musical history: a 1892 J.W. Pepper slide trombone.
This horn features the highly collectible and incredibly rare "Philadelphia & Chicago" dual-city bell engraving. J.W. Pepper briefly opened a secondary retail storefront on Wabash Avenue in Chicago in 1892, which tragically burned down in early 1897. Because of this short 5-year window, instruments bearing the Chicago stamp are significantly harder to find than standard Pepper horns.
The bell features a gorgeous, crisp hand-engraved floral crest surrounding the "Importer" designation, verifying this horn was built by high-quality European craftsmen for Pepper's premium US retail trade.
Condition Details (Sold As-Is):
- Mechanicals: The hand slide functions and moves completely in and out. It glides relatively straight but gets slightly tighter as it nears the first position (fully closed).
- Finish: The original quadruple-silver plating has mostly worn away over the last 130+ years, showing a beautiful, honest bare-brass patina on the exterior. However, the bright original silver plating is still wonderfully preserved inside the bell flare, creating a striking visual contrast.
- Repairs: There is evidence of an old, stable solder repair near the connecting end where the slide meets the bell section. The joint is firm and structurally secure.
- Accessories: Includes an unbranded, period-correct vintage trombone mouthpiece and an old hard case with plush purple fabric lining (showing expected antique wear).
This is a fantastic, complete package perfect for brass collectors, historical display, or light restoration by a vintage instrument enthusiast.
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