Henry Jupp Flutes, Leith.

[Chris_The_Wakes]

Does anyone know any history or information about Henry Jupp flutes made in Leith? Cant find anything on google ect about them!

[jemtheflute]

Hi Chris The Wakes. Judging from your photos, that flute was almost certainly NOT made in Leith or anywhere near it. It is most assuredly a typical later C19th German-made flute as often discussed on this forum. The metal crown and foot caps are particularly indicative of that, as is the general style of the German Silver keywork and the proportions of the joints. (German flutes tend to have a shorter head/barrel assemblage and a longer upper body than most English flutes.) The separate footjoint is less usual on German flutes, but I’ve seen such before - may be especially made for the British market? Ditto the straight (rather than obliquely) mounted G#. The offset low C# and C keys are typically German, however. I have here a very similar (unstamped) flute save that it doesn’t have the metal end caps (never did) - same key and joint arrangement, similar reddish cocus wood (softer than average in the case of mine - presumably not “1st” quality). (It’s quite a nice player in general, but the middle D is way flat despite the rest of the intonation being quite decent, which is why I haven’t tried/can’t really try to sell it! )

It was very common for retailers all over the world to buy in these more-or-less mass-produced and cheap German flutes unstamped and to stamp them with their own marque. For example, I’ve seen several stamped “Douglas - London”.

I’d suggest you try (if you have access to such in the flesh, if not online) researching in trade and or street directories for Leith in the later C19th. (Here’s an example, alas not a direct hit, of the kind of thing you can turn up: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_adverts/0_adverts_shops.htm. This might be a helpful starting point too: http://ihgs.ac.uk/library/trade_directories.pdf.) The local public libraries or County Records Offices should have them. Census records may also help. I’d lay odds that if you find him at all, Jupp will have been a music/instrument retailer or possibly a department store or catalogue merchant. Edinburgh area stuff ought to be plentiful, I suspect. Good luck!

[Chris_The_Wakes]

@jemtheflute

Hi Chris The Wakes. Judging from your photos, that flute was almost certainly NOT made in Leith or anywhere near it. It is most assuredly a typical later C19th German-made flute as often discussed on this forum. The metal crown and foot caps are particularly indicative of that, as is the general style of the German Silver keywork and the proportions of the joints. (German flutes tend to have a shorter head/barrel assemblage and a longer upper body than most English flutes.) The separate footjoint is less usual on German flutes, but I’ve seen such before - may be especially made for the British market? Ditto the straight (rather than obliquely) mounted G#. The offset low C# and C keys are typically German, however. I have here a very similar (unstamped) flute save that it doesn’t have the metal end caps (never did) - same key and joint arrangement, similar reddish cocus wood (softer than average in the case of mine - presumably not “1st” quality). (It’s quite a nice player in general, but the middle D is way flat despite the rest of the intonation being quite decent, which is why I haven’t tried/can’t really try to sell it! )

It was very common for retailers all over the world to buy in these more-or-less mass-produced and cheap German flutes unstamped and to stamp them with their own marque. For example, I’ve seen several stamped “Douglas - London”.

I’d suggest you try (if you have access to such in the flesh, if not online) researching in trade and or street directories for Leith in the later C19th. (Here’s an example, alas not a direct hit, of the kind of thing you can turn up: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_adverts/0_adverts_shops.htm. This might be a helpful starting point too: http://ihgs.ac.uk/library/trade_directories.pdf.) The local public libraries or County Records Offices should have them. Census records may also help. I’d lay odds that if you find him at all, Jupp will have been a music/instrument retailer or possibly a department store or catalogue merchant. Edinburgh area stuff ought to be plentiful, I suspect. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply, & sorry for not getting back to you sooner mate! It was more or less an area location intrest in the maker. Dont know if its slod yet al check just now…was listed at £100!