Looking for help identifying and valuing a vintage Selmer Paris clarinet

[JAnthony]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to get some insight from those more knowledgeable than me.

I have a Henri Selmer Paris wood clarinet, serial P1944. I contacted Selmer directly and they confirmed it was manufactured in September 1951.

It appears to be complete (mouthpiece, barrel, upper, lower, bell) and the wood has no visible cracks. However, the pads and corks are clearly aged and it would need servicing before being played.

I do not play clarinet, so I'm trying to get a realistic sense of its value in its current condition, as well as whether it might be worth restoring.

I'm not looking for offers at this time — just hoping to better understand what I have.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Windsong]

Welcome, JAnthony.

What you have is a Centered Tone-Era Full Boehm with low Eb and an articulated C#/G#.  It appears to be in nice shape.

It is probably worth $600.00 as-is, and between $1200.00-$1600.00 fully restored. (In fact, here is a rather seldom seen 17/6 which is a whole lot more common than your own, with closing bid price.) 

Yours has a beautiful grain, but it looks a little dry.  Be careful changing temps on it quickly, and have it oiled.

Thanks for sharing.