Hi, I’d like to point out a flute of mine that’s currently for sale. I play the Boehm flute, and thought I would branch out a bit and bought a 19th century flute that I found in London. Sadly, I’ve found I just don’t have the time (or the finger spread) to fully use the flute. I’m posting here because I think that the people who would most enjoy the flute are more likely to see it here, and I want it to go somewhere where it’s played and enjoyed. I can be reached about the flute at my email (shanahan626@hotmail.com) or at +1 (434) 974-7223.
This is a rare and lovely flute that would be great for anyone who plays Irish folk music and appreciates the large, powerful tone these flutes provide. Also, for anyone who collects antique flutes these flutes were a significant milestone in the development of the flute, and this example is especially interesting because of its ivory headjoint.
There has been some cracking in the head and the barrel, which was professionally repaired at the same time the pad were replaced and the flute was overhauled. I was told by the firm that performed the restoration work that the body is made from Cocus wood and the head is fully metal-lined ivory, which is quite rare to find. The head is considerably heavier than those made of wood, and the ivory gives a lovely response and deeply powerful tone. The flute comes with a case, but I believe it to be a more modern case that has been altered to allow this flute to fit.
The keys are silver and of the “saltspoon” type and are mounted to wooden blocks, with the exception of the lowest two keys ( C and C#) which use pewter plugs in place of the saltspoons. It has the big tone holes associated with the Nicholson’s Improved model, and has the flattened area around the right hand finger holes holes 4 and 5 that Nicholson recommended as easing the “glide” from F to G or F# to G..
In terms of the keys, it has the following seven:
The upper c key, which is operated by the right hand index finger and gives a more accurate and focused c, compared to the cross fingerings, greatly simplifies passages such as B-c-B, and improves intonation of c#
The G# key which is necessary for tunes in the key of A, and is particularly desirable for those who enjoy the northern fiddle-players’ repertoire
The Short F key which is needed to play in the key of C ( also handy for song accompaniment), desirable for F “accidental” notes in tunes in the more common keys and needed to play the increasing repertoire of tunes in D minor
Note that there are two F keys - the “Short” and the “Long”. This flute has the “short” kind.
The Bb key which is needed for some D minor tunes and needed to play in F (again a useful singing key) and operated by the left thumb.
The Eb key which is used for accidentals, can be used to improve the clarity of low octave E, and is needed for tunes in Bb.
Low C and C# keys, which extend the flute’s range down to C# and C.
If you’re interested, the flute is currently for sale on ebay under the following id number and description:
120452522103
19c. Nicholson’s Improvd Wood/Ivory Flute Irish D 7key
Thanks!