I've been trying to quantify a York serial #/date reference from actual surviving instruments, since any reference material was either lost or destroyed. The name "York" has been used for both professional and student lines. Because the defining the different "York" companies has been a lot like herding cats, I've tried to take a stab at that, too.
The original York company in Grand Rapids, Michigan (York, York & Son, York & Sons, York Band Instrument Co.) produced first class instruments and was awarded at least 16 patents and built the famous Chicago Yorks. Once the company was sold to Carl Fischer the famous German York Masters were produced. After that the name was sold to Boosey and Hawkes. Currently I have 4465 records of instruments from this version of the company, 1147 of instruments that I'm sure aren't or are after the sale.
What I am looking for are details about any "York" instrument you may have access to (not those people gave me previously). Any "York" company, any kind of instrument including woodwinds. The latest version of my list is at https://www.horn-u-copia.net/Docs/York%20db.html
Please note that I do NOT publish owners or eMails.
The serial number, photo (phone photos are fine!) of the logo on the bell along with any patent embossing and anything special would be what I'm looking for. Also an over-all photo (so I can determine wrap, type).
It would be very helpful if you could send this or any questions to mwksix (atsign) verizon.net .
Thanks!




