This evening i thought i would investigate the many models of instruments produced by the well known company Boosey & Hawkes, to my surprise i was unable to find a definative site that could offer any detailed information about B&H's many brands such as Imperial, Regent, Emperor and so on.

Perhaps you've come across a good site, tried the obvious Boosey.com and that was rubbish IMHO.

Good luck in your research - this is going to be a very large project! As well as Boosey's own instruments, there are of course those companies that were taken over by them over the years (Rudall Carte, Buffet (since subject to a buyout away from B&H again) etc.)

I can't off the top of my head think of one website with a comprehensive history on it, but you should be able to find bits and pieces all over the web, on specific instrument websites amongst others.

Good luck

i thought they don't do instruments anymore but i am not sure.

I thought they were just publishers...

my friend actually has a bossey clarinet but it was his mum and she bought it like 30 years ago, he told me it is so expensive now and it is a very nice wooden one.

My oboe was a B&H Regent, best quality plastic, and so unfortunately not even fit for burning.....
My teacher gave me her Howarth to play during lessons...

I don't know anything about B&H, but you should buy a instrument from a good music shop, and check the approx price any instrument is realy worth. You can find it at www.bbc.co.uk/music