FS: antique flute Buffet Crampon Paris - with videos

Irish Flute
1

Hi all,

I have for sale a beautiful antique French flute in grenadilla blackwood with the standard 8 sterling silver keys, right hand joint and footjoint are in one section. The mark on the headjoint is very feint but it reads “Buffet Crampon Paris” inside a dotted oval, and a concentric double star on the left hand section. Made in the second half of 19th century, plays in modern pitch of A=440hz.

In good working order with fixed cracks on headjoint and barrel, cork and pads replaced etc. The long F key pin is not original, it was there already when I got the flute, it doesn’t screw in like the others and is a tiny bit undersized, but works perfectly well.

This is a high quality instrument with a great full tone, one of the best I’ve played, I was considering keeping it for myself. French flutes are known for the sweetness of their sound and this one is no exception. The relatively large embouchure hole with a quite deep undercut allows a very good range of volumes, and if desired it can be surprisingly loud despite the small tone holes. This flute is well suited for both classical music and traditional Irish sessions.

It comes with its beautiful original case decorated in silver, which unfortunately it doesn’t close shut. I decided to avoid adding anything to make it close in case someone would think it would affect its collectible value.

Asking price is 1100 euros which includes standard tracked international shipping.
For a few months after selling I provide a insurance on my restorations minus shipping costs.

Here are two videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pe8e18Gr5o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is2wO7QRDM0

And pictures:

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Still available at the discount price of 980 euros, a great deal! Write me for any question :wink:

3

Someone requested a better close up of the stamp so here it is.
As I wrote in the description the stamp is very faint. I tried to make a picture, you can see the dotted oval typical of the brand, and you can see the top of the letters in “BUFFET” and on the bottom of the oval you can read “PARIS”. The “CRAMPON” part was even more faint and it became almost invisible after I had to restore the crack nearby. I can still distinguish the “P”, maybe with a good light and a magnifying glass the other letters would apper also.

4

On Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buffet-Crampon-restored-antique-old-vintage-wooden-flute-/272022996416?hash=item3f55d585c0:g:MjMAAOSwA4dWJ6pG

Keep in mind that you can get it cheaper if you contact me privately, provided that no one has already bid.

5

Do the keys all work?

6

They do, absolutely.
Low C plays strong when you press both the roller and the C# touch with the little finger (which is what people normally do anyway), if you press the roller alone it won’t sound fully. The other keys play all as expected.