A friend of mine sent me this link that shows his collection of musical instruments and accouterments. I’m sooo Jones’ing after the red Pedler clarinet in the front. Here’s what Steve says about it:
"That is a very unique and interesting clarinet you spied. Surprisingly it was made by The Pedler Co. and from the looks of the case and the reed case that clearly came with the clarinet case, it was built in the 1920’s or maybe even 30’s.
The material it is made of is some weird early plastic. It has interesting variegated colors and is translucent in parts. In person, it really isn’t red, but rather a reddish-brown color. I’m betting they tried to simulate wood, but came up with something prettier. The barrel is a fully functioning tuning barrel and all the pads are leather. The Pedler Co. never gets any respect these days. But I’m guessing that this was a prototype for a new direction in construction that never took off. Probably they put a lot of effort and research and design into this thing. One of my plans for a spare moment is to put it back in playing condition…. won’t take much.
I think I mentioned the other red clarinet in the bunch…. to the left of the one we discussed and would be the tallest in this grouping if it had a mouthpiece on it. That one is a Martin in the key of A and is set up in a simple pre-Albert system. Pad cups look like they are two hollow spheres and cut off a chunch to make each pad cup. Pad material like nothing I’ve ever seen. Gotta be old stuff, but they all seal fine and are white as the day they were installed. Kind of like cotton candy."
You can find this picture collection here. Steve says the collection is taking over his house. :o)
The Bis Key Chronicles 
Had a sister who played the clarinet. She loved it and for at least 15 years played….I nevee really played an insturment other than what I learned in school…no deep commitment on my part for sure….
As a trumpet player, my first reaction was, Nice collection of firewood :) I’m joking of course. The "weird early plastic" one probably won’t burn :):)
Seriously. I find vintage instruments and their history fascinating. Wish I had more time or money to collect myself.
G
And I’m thinking my grand daughter, who has a red recorder from us right now, might like this instrument when she gets to high school. :o)
oh, and next time I’m around that way, I will let you both know–I have a son in Oregon
I was just wandering around the Web looking for more information on a Pedler clarinet that I just listed on ebay. If anyone is interested, it’s item # 150216384727. I hope I got all the information on it accurate, that’s actually what I was looking for when I found this. So I listed it and decided to come back and share. :)
Okay never been to this site before so I have no idea how old this post is…..but I just have to tell you that the maker of those "Pedler" Clarinets was my great-grandfather! Yep, Mr. Harry Pedler was my grandad and wouldn’t it figure that when I joined the band in high school…I decided to play the trombone!! (That was what my Mom played…and naturally, she still had hers, hence it was the cheapest option) …lol…but I sure as heck don’t regret it. It seems that I was some sort of weird "trendsetter" in our school district, getting females to consider playing those "BIG" <heehee> Brass Instruments ~who’d have guessed. Honestly, by the time I graduated I started seeing girls playing the tuba and trombone and standing tall and proud out in front. So, I can’t regret my choice. However, I’m also just as proud of my history and my very fortunate heritage from the Pedler’s!!
2007 but still a fun post. Thanks for stopping by Katina. Here’s hoping you’re still playing trombone! :O)
I have a red plastic Pedlar that appears to be identical to the one above ,,, anybody know what it would be worth?
Probably not much unless you got lucky. Good luck.