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Karl Moritz (Charles) Missenharter
Ulm, Germany 1829 - 1899 New York, USA
Karl Moritz Missenharter was born, married, started a family and began working with his father, Joseph Anton Missenharter in his brass instrument fabrication shop in Ulm Germany. He came to the United States in 1869 to start his own factory, the Missenharter Brass Instrument Factory in New York, USA. He is listed sometimes in older listings as M. Missenharter
The Missenharter Brass Instrument Factory
The above sample is of retired Crystal Record's soloist Ned Gardner. He recorded 3 early 20th-century cornet solos on the Missenharter as part of the program of a 1980 album entitled "In Recital" (a Visiting Artist project for the NC Dept. of Community Colleges). (note: this is the only known professionally recorded Missenharter instrument). The works are "Stars in the Velvety Sky"(1919) by Clarke, "My Regards"(1908) by Llewellyn, and "Willow Echoes"(1920) by Simon. |
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| Clcik here to Listen to the # 6909 cornet being played |
| The above song was played by Ryan, who recently graduated high school -2017. and will be studying music at George Mason University next fall. As a gift, his aunt found an old cornet that she wanted to give to him. It was a Missenharter! |
Charles Missenharter built his company, won many awards and medals and created many brass instruments that are still around today. He produced Trumpets, Cornets, Tubas, Trombone, French Horns Euphoniums, Fire horns, Fire whistles and the cases required for each. Many of the instruments had elaborate carvings and many decorations. See the Instruments page for pictures of the ones I have been able to gather.
Charles Sr. sold his company to Charles Coleman in 1891, Coleman kept using the Missenharter name until 1917.
The value of the instruments varies widely. From many years of monitoring the value of the instruments, I have seen them for about $ 50 for a tarnished and dented cornet. Then for a "nice" cornet with most of the extras and maybe a few dents and dings are up to about $200 maybe $300. The really nice ones that are restored, all working, no dents, original case, all extra parts etc.. are up to $400 or $500. I have seen some go for thousands that could belong in a museum. As with any collectable, the value is in the condition. Many of these that get listed are not in playable condition, air leaks, sticking valves etc. You can compare yours to others on Ebay and similar sites for price comparisons of instruments of the same age and condition.
Please contact me with any questions or potential items for sale as I would be happy to share any other information I may have. I have a few instruments that my grandchildren have started to play, it's amazing that they can play something that their 5th great grandfather made and still sounds great.
We have no photos yet of the Missenharter facility, but above is photos of a typical insturment factory- C.G.Conn manufacturing- of roughtly the same time periods, most likely alot larger faciltiy though.