Recently, my wife and I took a big risk on buying an american euphonium on eBay. Four valve, satin silver plate . . . looked to be in very good condition, but we were still a bit nervous. When it arrived, I was totally surprised to find an all original, excellent-condition 1922 Conn 86I. Apparently it was owned by a long-departed teacher and repairman in the Toledo, Ohio area who must have really babied this thing. Long story short, not only does she look great, but plays like a dream, too, even without a decent seal on the valves. We're going to take it to our local repairman, Rich Ita, and see about a full chem clean and perhaps a valve rebuild. If anyone is interested, I'll post some pictures of the old gal.