Martin Standard Trumpet
1945
This Martin Standard Bb trumpet, serial number 144456, was made by Martin Band Instrument Company of Elkhart, Indiana, in 1945 (based on the serial number). It was probably one of the last of that model made.
The trumpet was purchased for Douglas A. Kerr by his father, William J. Kerr, used, from a music store on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, probably in 1946. It has been in the Douglas Kerr family since. It has not been played on a regular basis since about 1953.
According to the proprietor of the store, the trumpet had originally been purchased new by a member of the Cleveland Orchestra. He was shortly promoted to section leader, and then felt that he should be playing a more upscale instrument. He traded the Standard in on a more expensive instrument. William Kerr bought it for $200.00.
© 2007 by James F.
Donaldson
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