York Bell-front Tuba

York Band Instrument Company, (Grand Rapids Michigan)
serial number 116518 | circa 1938 | silver

• 2 large wooden cases, (made by the McBrine Baggage Co)
• one holds the bell, the other holds the tuba body
• 60x85x25 cm (body); 70x75x40 cm (bell)

• valves function, third one is slow
• tuning slides not tested
• quite tarnished, though largely dent-free (hard to see because of the tarnish)

• aka a “recording bass”
• possibly a “kaiser” shank mouthpiece, which is even larger than a standard tuba one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York_Band_Instrument_Company
https://www.yorkloyalist.com/research

made in approx 1938, based on the sites above
(York instruments appear to be well documented, with a serial number list of all known to exist at https://www.horn-u-copia.net/Docs/York%20db.html)

Here’s a fine one, which sold in late 2024:
https://www.tubaforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=9680

Conn E♭ Sousaphone c1928

C G Conn Ltd, (Elkhart Indiana)
serial number 259606 | circa 1928 | silver, possibly with brass on the inside of the bell, quite tarnished

• 4 valves
• valves function
• tuning slides not tested

large wooden case, 100 x 85 x 45 cm (possibly weighs more than the instrument)

Tape noting “E♭ Sousa” on the outside of the case

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._G._Conn
https://connselmer.com/
https://connselmer.com/serial-numbers

made in approx 1928, based on the above list

Here’s a similar one, which sold a few years ago;
https://reverb.com/item/20876476-vintage-conn-32k-naked-lady-sousaphone

Conn E♭ Sousaphone c1923

C G Conn Ltd, (Elkhart Indiana)
serial number 200059 | circa 1923 | silver, possibly with brass on the inside of the bell, very tarnished

• 4 valves
• valves function
• tuning slides not tested

Large wooden case (like an old travel trunk), (needs handles and latch), 38” x 33.5” x 20.5”
(we can recommend a Mennonite leather guy) 97 cm x 85 cm x 52 cm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._G._Conn
https://connselmer.com/
https://connselmer.com/serial-numbers

made in approx 1923, based on the above list