Bronx New York 67 Bell Stamp Transition
The “NEW YORK 67” was included on the bell stamp on Bach trumpets and trombones during the Bronx manufacturing era. The 67 represented the Bronx postal code at 621 E 216th St, Bronx 67. The New York 67 stamp did NOT indicate the trumpet or trombone model, nor was it related to the thickness of the brass used to create the instrument’s bell.
The approximate manufacturing date of the New York 67 stamp transition was in between 1943 to 1946, after the US Postal Service instituted postal codes. The use of postal codes was done during WW2 to help streamline postal service routing and delivery more efficiently due to shortages of skilled workers.
Below is a serial number list corresponding to the New York 67 bell stamp transition.
Did You Know?
“In May 1943, The United States Post Office Department (USPOD) implemented postal zones for 178 large cities. Postmaster General Frank Walker explained that many experienced postal clerks were entering the army, and the zone system would enable inexperienced clerks to sort mail without learning the delivery area of each city carrier. “
When zip codes were designated in 1963, postal codes were often used as the last two digits of the zip code. In this example, the current Bronx zip code where the E. 216th Vincent Bach Corporation factory was located is now 10467.
source: Zip Code, Wikipedia
Bell Stamp Tooling
Based on all New York 67 examples reviewed, the 67 was not an additional stamp but rather part of a newly added stamp.
New York 67
U.S.A.
This marking was included on all Bach Trumpets and Trombones brands, including Stradivarius, Mercedes, and Mercury, until the move to Mount Vernon in the fall of 1953. When Vincent Bach Corporation moved production to the new Mount Vernon plant, the “67” was not continued.
While there is no precise transition date, below is a known list of examples that narrow down this transition. It is unknown if this transition differed based on each mandrel, as we do not have enough data. It is estimated that this was completed between May 1943 (postal code introduction) and the serial number SN #6882 (1946).
If you have an example and can narrow his list, please contact us through the website’s contact form.
Serial Number (Mfg. Year, Brand, Bell #, if known) / New York 67 Stamp (Y/N)
- 1729 (1931, Strad, 7 Bell) = No
- 10267 (1940, Mercury, 106 Bell) = No
- 46XX (1941, Strad, 7 Bell) = No
- 6040 (April 1942, Strad, 37 Bell) = No
- New York 67 Transition Bell Stamp (May 1943 to August 1946)
- 6797 (August 1946, Strad, 37 Bell) = Yes
- 6882 (1946, Strad, 38 Bell) = Yes
- 7512 (1947, Strad. 211 Bell) = Yes
- 7626 (1947, Strad, 211 Bell ) = Yes
- 7702 (1947) = Yes
- 1055x (1951, Strad) = Yes
- 11772 (1952, Strad) = Yes
- 1220x (March 1953, Strad) = Yes
- 1234x (May 1953, Strad) = Yes
- Mount Vernon Bell Stamp (without New York 67)
Source: Thanks to the fellow Bach loyalists who shared their examples.
