Originally Posted by
bbocaner
given the age, and the relatively large bell for the time, and 4 valves, I suspect this might have been originally intended as a Bb tuba (not BBb), and not a baritone (euphonium). JW York tubas are highly prized, pretty much anything else they made is not so much in demand.
That certainly could me. I'm not sure of the actual age of that instrument, but "Bb Basses" were pretty common in the late 19th and early 20th century. However, all of the ones I have seen were 3-valve horns and designed more or less like the baritones of the time. They always seemed to me to have the dimensions of a euphonium, with the larger bows and taper.
This particular York is interesting to me. It's off the beaten path for the 20s or that time period, which I suspect is the age of this one. I'd love to hear what it sounds like in the hands of a good player. I think it's a euph, and designed to be a euph. I can't afford it, so I'll never be able to try it, though.
Note: after I posted this eBay listing, I saw that it had been posted before, during an earlier auction. It didn't sell that time. It may not this time. The price is a bit high for something off the beaten track.
3-valve Blessing B-350 Euphonium