Unique and vintage instruments stolen in Bellingham burglary, some over 100 years old

Several rare and vintage saxophones were stolen during a break-in this week at the offices of a Bellingham company that makes custom mouthpieces for professional musicians.

Officials at Theo Wanne, whose headquarters is in the Haskell Business Center along Fraser Street, said the saxophones date to the early days of jazz and the burglar might not know their true worth.

“Some of the saxes were over 100 years old,” chief operating officer Bryan Vance told The Bellingham Herald.

A few of the instruments taken in the Monday burglary were irreplaceable with undetermined value, Vance said in an interview.

A professional musician wouldn’t pay top dollar for them without checking to see if they’re stolen, he said.

“It’s kind of like stealing the Mona Lisa. What are they going to do with them?” Vance said..

Most were made by Conn and Selmer, and some have special engraving with silver, gold and lacquer finishes that make them one of a kind.

Some of jazz’s greatest names — including Michael Becker, John Coltrane and Stan Getz — played similar saxes, Vance said.

Vance said he just wants the instruments returned, hopefully intact and undamaged.

“If they simply drop them, I’m willing to offer a reward,” Vance said.

A full list of the stolen instruments is at Theo Wanne’s page on Facebook.

Bellingham Police said they investigating, and anyone with information about the theft can call 360-778-8611 or online at cob.org/tips.