Help Identifying Antique Flute- Fun for the whole family!

Irish Flute
1

I recently purchased an antique Italian 6 key wood (Granadilla or Ebony?) Piccolo/Flute on EBay and am inquiring as to whether or not you would be able to assist me in identifying its origins and worth ( I wont be selling it, but its still good bragging rights :slight_smile: )

There is a slight language barrier with the seller, in Milan, and I have as of yet been unable to determine the key or octave of the instrument, as it is still to be shipped. Of course when it arrives, I will know immediately if it is a Piccolo or a Flute, and whether it is in C, D, or some other key. But alas, I don’t seem to have the willpower to wait patiently. I assume that there was a standard for the Maker at the time, but have no resources to study regarding antique instruments. My local woodwind repair shop was of little help.

My primary questions are:

Is this a Piccolo or a Flute?

What Key would it most likely be in?

If it is indeed in perfect condition, what would its approximate value be?

Are there any interesting Historical notes regarding the Flute or the Maker? ( I love History)

If you would be able to assist me in this, either directly or by pointing me in the direction of some resource, I would greatly appreciate it.

I have attached what information I have about the instrument.

You will notice that the first picture appears squished left to right, I think the camera zoom affected the perspective. The other 2 images look proportional for a Flute.

I have never actually seen a 6 key wood Piccolo, so I am not sure how similar it would look.

Again, any help is appreciated.
----------------------------------------------------------------(from the eBay sale page)-----------------------------------------
This is an old piccolo flute Rampone Milano.The serial n is 8258. All the body an the head of this instrument is in wood material: ebony. It has 6 keys with perfect work. The instrument has very good intonation and it play in all register very well. Pads and corks are good. In the photos you can see the condition of wood: perfect with no crack. Al the 3 parts of this instrument has orsi brand.The instrument has no case.This is a no reserve auction For payment I accept International Money Order, bank transfer or Western union. If you have any questions please email me.




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Thanks,

Aaron

2

Aaron, I’m no real help here, but I saw that on eBay myself and was tempted to bid. It looks to be in great shape. My guess is that it’s a piccolo in C.

3

Aaron,

I like the fact that it has the maker’s mark on the head, barrel and body, and the marks are distinctive. I’d guess that it’s a piccolo in the key of D (lowest note D). Hopefully, it is LP (low pitch, A=440 Hertz), and not HP (high pitch, A=455 Hertz). I’d guess the former. It’s fingering should be similiar to a simple system keyed flute.

The “New Langwill Index” will have information on Rampone.

http://www.fmarion.edu/goferjoe/rampone.htm

Let us know more, after you get the piccolo.

Bill


[ This Message was edited by: SuiZen on 2003-01-17 07:46 ]