I’m trying to find out the value of a flute i’ve had for several years. The person i got it from thought it was from about 1850 and it has “F. Zogbaum” and “N. York” printed on the body. I used to play it often and it has a lovely clear tone and plays well, though sometimes I’ve had difficulty tuning it flat enough when the flute is very warm. I’ve heard this could be because of its age and can be fixed with the right lip technique. It has eight keys and is in what I think is the original box. If anyone has an idea about what its worth I’d love some input!
Zogbaum, F., & Co. N York established by Ferdinand Zogbaum as a musical instrument importer & dealer 1852 (Charleston, NC), and New York 1854-1880.
Also Zogbaum & Fairchild (New York 1858-1875) “extensive stock of MIs and Strings of our own manufacture and direct importation…Our particular attention is given to the manufacture of Guitars, Saxhorns, Cornets, Flutes, Clarinets, Banjos, Drums, etc…which are manufactured at our factory here and immediately under our own supervision - none but the most experienced workmen being engaged and the best of materials used.”
[quote=“Amanda Hogan”]I’m trying to find out the value of a flute i’ve had for several years. The person i got it from thought it was from about 1850 and it has “F. Zogbaum” and “N. York” printed on the body. I used to play it often and it has a lovely clear tone and plays well, though sometimes I’ve had difficulty tuning it flat enough when the flute is very warm. I’ve heard this could be because of its age and can be fixed with the right lip technique. It has eight keys and is in what I think is the original box. If anyone has an idea about what its worth I’d love some input!
Looks like a nice looking American flute! Unusual placement of the G# key on the lower section instead of the upper section, have only seen that once before. No need for a lip plate, the American flutes have a deep chimney, comparable to modern flute makers. the trick is blowing more into the embouchure instead of across it as in the modern Bohm flutes. Probably worth around $900 after restoration.
With regard to Kevin’s post above, this may not be an American flute, since Zogbaum is an importer of musical instruments. Regardless, it still looks like a nice flute and may well be worth what Jon has indicated, since he is quite knowledgeable about flutes and their current value. Jon, by the way, is quite capable of restoring this flute.
Jon C.~ What kinds of restoration do you think it would need? I actually bought it for $900 and my flute teacher at the time thought it was worth more than that but maybe that’s not the case.
Well it probably does not need much restoration, new pads, cork, and pads, a little buffing, and it would be as good as new…
When the flute bubble burst, same time as the housing bubble, the price of flutes dropped a bit. You may get more for it, that was just a ball park figure.
The Zogs on the vintage instrument page and the one in question here look rather big in the hole size department to me. Making me think they are less likely to be german flutes but I could be totally wrong. I’ve looked at the ones on the vintage instrument page for a good few years now and thought I wonder how they’d clean up.
Nice looking flute. Let us know here if you plan to sell it.
