Re: Conn Bari "The Liberty" from N.Y.Conn Co.Inc.
In my attempt to answer this question, I am going to think outloud for a moment, if you will, to aide anyone out there who may be able to follow the trail, and give you a more definitive answer.
First, there are some conflicting details that make this horn a bit of a mystery, at least to me. It seems to display some characteristics of both the Wonder and the New wonder Series I horns, but the dates don't quite jive: Conn opened their New York Retail store in 1897, and relocated it elsewhere in 1902. I am assuming that the New York connotation is linked to this retail establishment. However, the fact that the horn has a single octave key, removable neck, and the Haynes 1914 patent date means that this horn dates to a much later manufacture date. Why the 1914 patent date stamp for rolled tone holes, with no rolled tone holes on this horn? The fact that it has no key pearls suggests to me that it is a late model Wonder (1915-1917) or very early New Wonder Series I (1917 but no later than 1919). The second choice is somewhat unlikely however, since the New Wonder was introduced in 1917, and Conn ceased to be Conn or Conn inc., and became Conn LTD at this time as well. I am of course assuming that this is engraved as you have mentioned, with both the "The Liberty" AND the " N.Y. CONN inc" names on the bell. Otherwise, I might have assumed this to be a Conn Stencil horn. Given all of the facts above, I am sticking with the late model Wonder theory, based on the evidence. Regarding the monetary value, the horn isn't worth a great deal, around $1,000 to$1,500 or so. However a repad and minor adjustment would certainly not be out of order, and other than the separate octave key/neck pip issue discussed in the previous thread, it isn't a bad early baritone.
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