A friend ran across a wooden flute recently, and I’m trying to help identify it. It is a single key instrument marked “C. Jones commercial London.” There is record of a book and musical instrument dealer in London in1752. A bit late for one key flutes I think, but that is all I can find. Any help here? I can post a couple of photos if they will help.
Assuming you mean 1752, not late at all.
Well, flute history indicates 4 key instruments by 1752, and 6-8 key by the end of the century. That does not say one key instruments didn’t continue to be made, but clearly they were already descending in popularity.
I’m confused. 
Quantz became the court fluter and composer to Frederick II of Prussia in 1740. His work, On Playing the Flute, was published in 1752.
Bob
Hello, I think you will find it might have been supplied by G. Jones. who set up in 1850 on a part manufacture/dealership basis. I came upon this info. after acquiring an 8 key flute originally sold through his company - it makes interesting reading.
http://www.concertina.com/butler/butler-story-of-george-jones.pdf
I have heard that makers often supplied one key flutes as a cheaper option for customers long after their initial inception.
That’s accurate and is indeed confusing. Quantz is on record as once saying that the only key he wanted to add besides the Eb was a D#! I’ve never seen a clear indication of when multi keyed instruments took over from one keyed ones. Perhaps someone here can provide that info.
I had run across that possibility. I’ll try to get confirmation as to whether it is “C” or “G.”
I’ve verified that it could be G Jones. And, it is apparently “Londone” and not just London. Is that a clue?
G. JONES
COMMERCIAL RD ( the capital D is half size of R and elevated )
LONDON E
Above is description of stamp on my flute
There is a slight gap between the N and the E in above which I thought might denote E for EAST.
Would you believe it - Commercial Road is slap bang in the middle of the East End of London.
Could this be case solved ? 2TOOTS.
Ok! Thanks to the last post we have the maker probably identified ( or at least the seller). And, I’ve discovered it is a Bb instrument, so probably a fife. That takes things far enough. Thanks to all!
Case solved from my perspective. Thanks.
Bb band flute, then, not a “fife” as such. One key flutes, especially in the smaller sizes (but not excluding concert D flutes), remained in production into the C20th just as 6 or 8
keyed simple system ones did. As always, the best survey of flute types and developments online is Rick Wilson’s wonderful http://www.oldflutes.com website - go peruse thoroughly if you want to get a grasp of flute history.