Is this a franken-flute? (now with link)

Irish Flute
1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120204478051&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002
I came across this ebonite flute on ebay, it appears to have a Ruddal & Carte siccama body and a Boosey head; presumably not the original configuration.

2

Yup, though possibly an old marriage of parts, and even a well judged one or a deliberate bespoke replacement head? I doubt the eBay vendor did the wedding! He’s a regular eBay seller of overpriced, unrestored old instruments. He bought a lot of flutes at an auction in Bath in the autumn which included, so I’ve been told, quite a few of Andrew Kirby’s collection, and is selling them on.
The flute in question may well play very nicely once fettled up, but I’d put odds on it being High Pitch. Not worth more than about £60-70 before restoration and ascertainment of playing pitch - and of intonation, given the “foreign” head.

3

Hi Jem is it possibble to find out or post links to where and when these auctions take place.

Our band have old and ageing flutes and would like to add to them ie spairs and repairs and i think it would be places like these auctions that we would be able to add to our inventory.

David

4

David, David Migoya is really your man for that info, but it isn’t too difficult to find out about the major auction houses with web searches. Phillips, Christies and Sothebys all have periodic fine antique instrument auctions (three or four a year) I believe, as do the firm in Bath, Gardiner Houlgate. I just had a look at their website and their next instrument sale is in March - there will be an online catalogue list in due course.

Of course, who knows what wonders may be turned up, and at below average prices, by following your local non-specialist auction houses regular sales? That’s a lot of effort for pot luck, though, and nowadays folk are more inclined to put things they think may be a bit special (usually wrongly!) on eBay than to leave them in the junk boxes that go to auctioneers - though it does still happen… Also, local auctioneers are quite likely to send anything they get in that they recognise as beyond their scope (like musical instruments beyond the usual school violins from China or East Germany or tatty military bugles) off to more specialist auctions. If you have a team of Sunday early risers, keeping an (informed) eye on local car boot sales is said to be worthwhile - never make them myself, what with working into the small hours of a Saturday night mostly.

5

Thanks Gem greatly appreciated.

David