Wurlitzer Lyric Cornet Serial Numbers

In conducting my surveys for the Pan American band Instrument and case Company, including Cavalier to develop dating systems for the various types of band instruments, I have found that the use of the the term stencil is often confusing because of the current general usage. This usage and therefore definition goes back some years to time when not as much was known or published. In other words it was based on the best understanding at the time, but new information amkes its continued usage impracticable and often miss-leading.

The original Wurlitzer Lyric trombones were produced before 1906 and read Made. Model cornets as well as 'Amateur Superior' & 'Popular Superior' trombones. 'Professional' (if serial number starts with 'P' then made by Pan American),. 1955 - Pan American brand serial numbers merged with Conn brand. Tenor saxes may be Elkhart, trumpets may be imports, cornets may be. They include their name with their brand, like Wurlitzer American or Lyric.

It's time for a review and maybe a new defintion and possibly some new terms or words for usage. One ground rule for this thread is opinions must be based on fact. Quoting opinions from other threads or other forums is not considered fact.

Facts come from observation and published documents, like trade journals, advertising and catalogs. Date references add to the veracity of the fact. 'I read somewhere or sometime ago' is the same as conjecture or opinion. While my comments will be oriented towards the C G Conn Ltd group of companies, particularly the Pan American years from 1917 to 1957, I would hope others with documented knowledge of other companies like Buescher, Martin, Holton, Coutierer, York etc and the imports will be able to aide in this endeavor. My perspective is mainly historical in nature and my view relates to the business and how it is organized. Products are a means for a business to achieve its economic goals. The marketing of those products and their market positioning is the principle basis that drives sales.

Production efficiencies drive margins. The auto companies are a good examples of market positioning with brand names under one company.

GM has lines under GM, Cadillac, Buick, and Chevrolet. I have yet to hear of someone driving a GM stencil Buick. How many have Chrysler stenciled Dodges? How about a Lexus stenciled Toyota? Even better, who has a Kia stenciled Hyundai? In consumer electronics, who watched movies on their Matsushita stenciled VHS Panasonic, Technics, RCA or Zenith recorder?

To open the discussion, a bit of history compiled for my Pan American survey is in order. While I will tend to feature saxes, other instruments may be mentioned. 1915 - Col Conn sells to CD Greenleaf etal who forms CG Conn Ltd. 1916 - Buescher sells to Greenleaf etal. 1917 - The Names 'American First' and Pan American' are patented by CG Conn Ltd. Survey only found 'America First' sax models with 'P' prefix. Patent indicates usage from January 1917.

1917 - 1919 - Wurlitzer and Bruno private label or stencil saxes found by survey with CG Conn Ltd serial numbers equating to the time period. There are some visual differences to contemporary Conn models, but likeness to the future Pan American branded models. 1917 - 1919 - Wurlitzer, Selmer, Mansfield, Bruno, and Weymann private label or stencil brass instruments found by survey. New serial number system identified and ultimately combined into 'P' serial numbers in 1920. Models are variants of CG Conn models. 1917 - In the sax supplement catalog, CG Conn announces only a Conn branded instrument is a Conn. The actual staement is much longer and more descriptive.

1917 - First use of Hardy tone hole stamp on saxes - from the survey. 1919 - Pan American band Instrument Co is incorporated in July (a CG Conn subsidiary), Greenleaf a principle 1919 - Elkhart Band Instrument Company is incorporated in September, Greenleaf a principle. 1919 - Pan American announces in November its plant is fully functional - 'P' and 'W' serial numbers found by survey. 1919 - CG Conn announces in their catalog the use of rolled tone holes on all Conn saxes. 1920 - First Pan American Catalog.

Advertising in trades started - Pan American models produced in 'auxiliary plant.' Pan American positioned as a quality moderately priced line.

1920 - International models advertised with Pan American models. 'P' serial numbers found by survey. A new finding is these carry an 'A' prefix in the brass. 1920 - Based on survey all private label or stencil product carry 'P' or 'W' prefix serial numbers and identify with Pan American contemporary models, including straight tone holes. 1918 thru 1926 - Conn stores are opened across the country, I have found 16 to date. All are separate incorprations and include Greeleaf as a principle (subsidiaries of CG Conn Ltd). 1923 - Continental Chicago establishes a 'Soloiste' line - 'P' serial numbers found by survey and design matches Pan American models.