*
banner

Advert: John Packer sells rare cornet in 24 hours

Such was the interest generated by the recent find of the rare round stamp Sovereign cornet found in an attic, it was sold within 24 hours.

Cornet
 

The rare Boosey & Hawkes 'roundstamp' cornet recently found in an attic has been sold within 24 hours of being advertised on 4BR by John Packer Ltd.

Worldwide interest

The pristine cornet was being sold on behalf of a customer by John Packer Ltd and found worldwide interest after the company put details of it up on 4BR, Facebook and the John Packer website.

And withing 24 hours it was sold, with a professional player and teacher travelling over two hours to be amongst the first customers to view it.

Iconic

Potential customers and collectors were drawn to John Packer as the instrument, which had never been played, was still in its original tissue paper, complete with labels from the B&H factory in Edgware Road and was in its original iconic small blue case.

It just goes to show how quality instruments get snapped up. You’ve got to act quick when instruments like these become availableSteve Herbert

Quality

Brass Department Manager, Steve Herbert told 4BR: "It just goes to show how quality instruments get snapped up. You’ve got to act quick when instruments like these become available."

Steve also added that he’s seen an influx of new client sale instruments.

"The day after I sold this cornet, I received 12 new instruments from customers to sell — including another roundstamp – although this one has been played. Clearly we must be doing something right!"

Client sales

Anyone interested in client sale instruments can view them on the website www.johnpacker.co.uk following the links to second-hand instruments, by calling Steve on 01823 282386 or emailing steve@johnpacker.co.uk

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Cup

May 2 • Kirkintilloch claims the Senior Cup honours as Rainford, Tongwynlais Temperance and East London Brass join them in the Grand Shield in 2027.


2026 Spring Festival

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy

May 2 • Sandhurst Silver claims the Senior Trophy honours as Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial are also promoted to the Senior Cup.


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


British Open

Live stream broadcast from Spring Festival

May 1 • All the action from the 104th British Open Spring Festival is to be live-stream broadcast this weekend.


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Tuned Percussionist. We are looking for a tuned percussionist to join our friendly community (4th section?) band. We have a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the park, charity concerts, fetes, (maybe contesting). Other brass players welcome.


Tintwistle Band

April 28 • Tintwistle Band are looking for a Soprano and front row cornet players to help complete our team.. We rehearse Monday and Thursday 8-10pm at our own bandroom on Old Road in Tintwistle, and perform a variety of concerts all year round.


Kevin Wadsworth


Conductor, adjudicator, teacher (ABBA)


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd