I’m on a short visit to Manhattan. Went back to look more closely at the sole set of uilleann pipes which is part of the Metropolitan Museum’s permanent collection and which is on display in the Musical Instruments gallery.
The information about the set on the display indicates that the Museum is of the opinion that the set is made by “G. Sharp” of Scotland. The name “G. Sharp” and the city name (either Edinburgh or Dundee, I can’t remember which) is visible on the bellows. This is my third or fourth recent viewing of this set. As an amateur, it appears to me that the bellows weren’t made for the set. They look too small to be uilleann bellows. Perhaps the set and the bellows are mismatched.
In any event, I’m just wondering whether anyone else knows anything about the set. The museum describes the pipes as “union pipes” not “uilleann pipes”, which is interesting. The chanter is connected to the bag by attachment directly onto the chanter cap: the old fashioned way.
The chanter appears to me to be very wide in diameter. Judging from the small size of the tone holes and the length of the chanter, I would imagine the key to be a flat key. There are four or five keys on the chanter. Some look damaged. There is an unusual stop mechanism on the foot of the chanter. It also looks damaged.
The drone stock is quite small. There are only two drones, both of approximately the same size. There does not appear to be a bass drone. There are two regulators. One doubles back on itself. It looks as though the set was meant to only have two drones and two regulators because there is no further space in the drone stock, which perhaps explains its small size.
On whole, a fascinating set. Anyone know anything about the maker, G. Sharp? Unfortunately, the Met’s website doesn’t assist.
Another item in the Met’s collection which you might find interesting. There is a Haida Indian instrument from the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia. It is described as a “bellows pipe”. It looks like standard fireplace bellows with some Haidai designs painted on it. There appears to be a fipple or whistle intake valve on the outside of the clapper. I presume this made a whistle sound as one worked the bellows with one’s hands. Perhaps the B.C. Uilleann Pipers’ group should look into this. B.C. may be more uilleann friendly than they ever realized
I’ve just realized it is September 11 and I’m in NYC. Let’s hope for peace in the world.
Mark Walstrom’s list of pipemakers up to 1940 lists the maker as “J Sharp” of Aberdeen. The MMA example is the only example noted in Mark’s list, but it may not be the only known example attributed to this maker.
This is my third or fourth recent viewing of this set. As an amateur, it appears to me that the bellows weren’t made for the set. They look too small to be uilleann bellows. Perhaps the set and the bellows are mismatched.
That’s a common occurrence, but I wouldn’t jump to any conclusions if you aren’t familiar with early “union” pipes. “Union pipes” is a term that was applied to the instrument in the past, by 1792 at least. Grattan Flood’s assertion that the instrument was called “uilleann” dates to the 20th century, and is unsubstantiated, so many folks prefer the term “Union” pipes to distinguish the old narrow-bore style from the modern wide bore item.
In any event, I’m just wondering whether anyone else knows anything about the set. The museum describes the pipes as “union pipes” not “uilleann pipes”, which is interesting. The chanter is connected to the bag by attachment directly onto the chanter cap: the old fashioned way.
The chanter appears to me to be very wide in diameter. Judging from the small size of the tone holes and the length of chanter, I would imagine the key to be a flat key. There are four or five keys on the chanter. Some look damaged. There is an unusual stop mechanism on the foot of the chanter. It also looks damaged.
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Maybe a popping valve; I was under the impression that those were introduced late in the 19th c, but perhaps not.
The drone stock is quite small. There are only two drones, both of approximately the same size. There does not appear to be a bass drone. There are two regulators. One doubles back on itself. It looks as though the set was meant to only have two drones and two regulators because there is no further space in the drone stock, which perhaps explains its small size.
Can anyone else confirm that there is not a bass drone? That would be the most unusual feature of the set, particularly if it has two regulators. Is it possible that what you thought was a baritone drone was really a bass with a straight slide? Some of the early bass drones doubled back into the stock in a peculiar way which can make them look shorter than they actually are.
What timber do these pipes appear to be made of? And did you note the number of keys on the two regulators? Did the chanter itself have keys?
As the set is in a glass case, it is not possible to see underneath the set to have a close look at the drones/regulators and their respective lengths.
The wood is dark black, likely blackwood or cocobola I would imagine.
As for number of keys on the regulators, I don’t recall.
Greg, I don’t think you are quite “getting” what is being demanded of you here.
You must go back to the MMA, open the case (whether it wants to be opened or not), photo all parts of the set from all possible angles, take micro-measurements of all bores, check for odd smells, carbon date all parts, pocket the reeds, and mail the set to BillH. You will have three minutes to accomplish all this from the moment you open the case until the guards take you down. Wear extra padding.
Mission understood, however, I’ll have to leave that mission to my next trip to NYC. Right now I’d better get a gift for the wife or self-destruction will be the least of my worries.
