Pan-American Div C G CONN Ltd USA Vintage Clarinet 142619

[2ndhandqueenie]

Here is another clarinet from the estate I purchased
THe clarinet is marked on the bell
Pan-American Div C G CONN Ltd USA Vintage Clarinet
and on the body 142619
Any idea on the type of wood it looks a lot like the boxwood only more stripped
the keys are tarnished as you can see and the pads are pretty old looking
I believe all his instruments had something unuasual about them I just dont know what that is about this one
He was an engineer that retired from yamaha and was an instrument collectro
any information would be helpful

[rezzie]

That is a "propeller wood Conn" in the vernacular.  Search on that phrase at your popular auction site and you'll soon see what they are going for.  These are popular collector's items, even though there were much better clarinets made than these.  They are very lovely when restored, and I confess to having one of my own.

[Silversorcerer]

These always bring a good auction value. It's definitely prime collector territory, but on the other hand, it's a practical wooden clarinet that is famous for being almost as crack resistant as the rubber and plastic ones. I think Conn had a great idea with that. It would have been nice if they had done a model like that in the professional line. They have a beauty like really exotic rosewoods.

[DaveLeBlanc]

In restored condition I would sell a Conn Propeller for about $300.

They are called "propeller wood" because there was a rumor going on that the company used actual biplane propellers to make the clarinets.  Naturally, that was not the case, but the name stuck.