Prototype Mendez Model Olds Trumpet
This is the prototype Olds Mendez model trumpet, serial
number 79,490, built in 1952. I believe that it is the same
trumpet pictured on the album cover for “The Singing
Trumpet” and used for that recording in the same year. It at
first appears to be a production Mendez Trumpet
(distinctive mouthpiece receiver, finger buttons, trigger etc),
but a closer look reveals that the braces between the bell and
mouthpipe and the finger hook are from the Standard model
trumpet. The baluster braces are also from this model. For
about two years before this time, there were many publicity
photos taken of Rafael Mendez and his two sons holding
Olds Super and Super Recording model trumpets. The
Mendez Trumpet appears in 1952 and he plays multiple
examples of that model for the rest of his life. Further
evidence showing that this is the only known prototype is
shown in Eric Hamlin's "The Olds Register". The
production of Olds Mendez Trumpets starts with the
approximate serial number 86,000 later in 1952 (earliest
known is 86,004 was recently acquired by Dan Schultz).
Rafael Mendez gave this trumpet to his friend, Dean Ames
in the late 1970s. When Dean's health was failing, he sold it
to his good friend, Len Burns who eventually passed it on to
me. The over all length is 19 1/2" (18 3/4" from bell rim to
edge of curve), the bell rim diameter is 4 3/4" and the bore
measures .460".
number 79,490, built in 1952. I believe that it is the same
trumpet pictured on the album cover for “The Singing
Trumpet” and used for that recording in the same year. It at
first appears to be a production Mendez Trumpet
(distinctive mouthpiece receiver, finger buttons, trigger etc),
but a closer look reveals that the braces between the bell and
mouthpipe and the finger hook are from the Standard model
trumpet. The baluster braces are also from this model. For
about two years before this time, there were many publicity
photos taken of Rafael Mendez and his two sons holding
Olds Super and Super Recording model trumpets. The
Mendez Trumpet appears in 1952 and he plays multiple
examples of that model for the rest of his life. Further
evidence showing that this is the only known prototype is
shown in Eric Hamlin's "The Olds Register". The
production of Olds Mendez Trumpets starts with the
approximate serial number 86,000 later in 1952 (earliest
known is 86,004 was recently acquired by Dan Schultz).
Rafael Mendez gave this trumpet to his friend, Dean Ames
in the late 1970s. When Dean's health was failing, he sold it
to his good friend, Len Burns who eventually passed it on to
me. The over all length is 19 1/2" (18 3/4" from bell rim to
edge of curve), the bell rim diameter is 4 3/4" and the bore
measures .460".
Click on image for larger view.