I’m curious how many people have, or know someone or somewhere that has, a Bossey Pratten’s Perfected flute with the extra C key for the left thumb?
I ask because the advertisement that Boosey launched sales of the Perfected flute, c.1856, makes note of the 9-key flute as the top-of-the-line model available.
Essentially, it’s an 8-key flute with the thumb key.
I know one board member (nameless unless he wishes to say who he is) who has a Pratten flute that shows signs of having had the thumb-C key. But that flute was retrofitted and only evidence of the key having been intended for the flute exists, not the key itself.
Yep, have had one here until recently for repair. Exactly the normal Prattens but with a second thumb key, just a little further up towards the mouth end. This c thumb key didn’t have its own pad, when depressed it lifted the pad of the usual R1 c-key (which makes sense - why open a new hole when there’s one right there). The only other difference was that the Bb thumb key touch bent down a little towards the underside of the flute, so essentially you had two touches pointing towards your thumb, the left one being c, the right Bb.
I must say, I found the arrangement tricky, as there is nowhere left for your thumb when not in use. Clearly you would have to get used to the idea of your thumb floating about in space until needed to press one of the keys. I can do that, but I prefer not to. I much preferred Boehm’s arrangement of having the thumb key normally open, but held closed by the thumb. This means though that the thumb is not available to operate Bb unless you have some more tricky mechanism.
excellent, Terry
do you recall the approximate serial number? I’m trying to figure whether the 9key was as popular as Boosey predicted…
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and am in consult with Mr. Meyers on the matter regarding the firm’s books (and Kelly sends regards) to see how many there were that early…
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I have a Boosey & Co. Pratten’s Perfected with 10 sterling keys, including the short C you mention, and also a long B-flat key that runs right along the long C.
Indeed, perhaps a double touch on both C and Bb? I have seen some with a duplicate C hole lying between the finger holes on the top surface.
No 7008 was the one I had here Dave.
A quick look through the summary in Kelly’s thesis seems to suggest not many 9 keys at all. But it also suggests not that many Prattens Perfecteds at all - by far the major part of Boosey’s effort going into suppling Her Majesties military forces, particulalry in India. So vast numbers of Bb, Eb, F etc flutes. Now scattered across the Punjab I guess.
you’re quite right, Terry.
It’s quite clear Boosey was after the Military market.
In fact, in the initial advertisement, Boosey makes it clear that flute manufacturers had all-but-disregarded the Military sector and, with the Perfected model, they were happy to accommodate.
Quite interesting.
I suppose I’m trying to figure out, with Kelly and Meyers’ help of course, how many of our 8key Pratten/Perfected flutes were at the list rather than the other model of concert flutes. Of course there are other models from the firm in different keys, but the concert flutes seem to be more in the ordinary flutes rather than the hyped multi-key models.
One thing is for sure (although not in stone) is that the 9key model seems to have been the doing of John Hudson, as well as Pratten (although to what extent is debatable). Hudson-Pratten flute #641 that sold at Sotheby’s in 1974 was a 9key (with the thumb-C), indicating it was JH before Boosey who had the model ready. That makes some type of sense when you figure the Boosey advertisement immediately notes the availability of the 9key.
There is a big difference between brochure availability and actual orders.
This is shown by the listing of boxwood Prattens, and the shortage of them on the ground. ( 0?)
I have a 1929 Triumph 350 motor bike which was widely promoted but hardly any were sold as they were too dear for the market in such depressed times.There seem to be only 8 or so left. Same sort of thing, I guess.
I wonder how much of Boosey’s output was high pitch, especially the military stuff.
I think you omitted to say “all the constituent pieces” of a 1929 Triumph 350. Put the pieces in a crate and send them up to me, whereafter I will assemble it and thrash it 300 miles down the road to deliver it back to you!
I have been standing and staring at the frame and discussing the sand blasting and powder coating with two people this week.
The transformation approaches !
I understand that the forks normally need strengthening as well.
As I only regard these things as sculptures anyway perhaps it doesn’t matter about details like safe forks !
It may take maginally longer to rebuild it than it did to rip it to pieces years ago.
quite right, Andrew, about the brochure and output.
That’s why the inquiry.
I just find it fascinating that what was deemed important at one point was actually looked down (or ignored) in the long run!
But today it’s quite different again.
And an old Triumph cycle is a gem. My brother once owned one himself. I was more for the car (my first being a Spitfire…a dud, but I loved it nevertheless).
Photos, please, when you’re done!
I’ve sent you a couple of snapshots that show the details (I can’t quite figure out how to insert them in this message); anyone else who’s interested can write to me for copies. The flute is marked:
Boosey & Co.
24 Holles Street
London
8445
R.S. Pratten’s Perfected
It has what I believe is the original fitted wooden case. I obtained it about 10 years ago from Tony Bingham in excellent condition. The original head-joint is fine, but the photo shows a replica head-joint Pat Olwell made for it, which substantially improves tuning, tone, power, and playability.
very nice, dick
so the keys are sterling and are of the “Hudson” variety.
This surely was one of the top-line flutes (for that model, of course) that they were selling. Sterling keys, pillars and such.
That configuration on the left thumb is most interesting. It appears to use the spring-rod set up! Already looking at the multi-keyed systems.
I can see why Terry said the thumb almost has nowhere to go!
Does your case have the signed certificate in the lid? If so, what’s the date?
No certificate David, and I’m not 100% sure the case is originial, although it is covered with baize inside and the cutouts fit the flute perfectly. Actually, the extra 2 keys are a real pain, so I completely remove the long B-flat and reverse the short C, which enables me to play it exactly as an 8-key model.