Hi - I have been given an old flute (well I think it is) - it is boxwood & ivory - 4 pieces with 6 finger holes and one brass key. It says Astor & Howood, 79 Cornhill London on each piece.
Can anyone tell me anything about it or where i should look to find more information?
If I knew how to post a picture of it then I would!
Thanks in advance
HighDeeHugh!!
It’s just copy&past with image shack! http://www.imageshack.us/
There is one in the Dayton Miller Collection. Astor & Howood made flutes together from 1815-1817. Probably very low pitched, like A=415. So post some pictures, so we can see it. 
I’m trying to post a picture - this may or may not work!
It should work though, first click on" browse", select your picture, then click on “host it”, after that’s just copy and paste.
Well this is the best I can do - here is the link which you should be able to click or paste into your browser to see the flute..
The link worked for me.
Be careful with that puppy - it looks to be in good shape. I can’t tell if there are any cracks or not, but humidify the flute and if you’re going to play it after rethreading the tennons, play only for short periods of time (like 10 minutes twice per day) and slowly increase playing time each week…I’m guessing that’s one dried out flute and you don’t want to cause a major rehydration crack. Also, be sure and swab it out after each playing and store in a case that will help retain humidity (or even a zip lock bag early on).
Eric
That looks quite nice. You might contact David Migoya,
do a google search, he’s also at fyffer restorations.
He knows old flutes and can tell you more, probably.
Wow. That’s beautiful. It’s apparently over 190 years old and it looks like it’s never been played. I’m no expert on the value of such things, but I would say an appraisal is in order.
By 1815 this would no longer be a concert flute, but an “ordinary” flute made of less-expensive materials. (Boxwood is now rare and ivory essentially impossible, but that wasn’t the case at the time.)
But maybe the real experts will speak soon.
– Don
Thank you everyone - I have sent David Migoya an e-mail as you suggested. I’ll let you all know how I get on - but in the meantime if anyone else has any information about it then please let me know.
Kind regards
Hugh150
So what is your interest in this flute?
Keepsake, do you play music, plan on selling it?
Even if you do not plan on selling the flute, it may be worth appraising just to see what it’s value is for insurance purposes.
That’s a real winner. Flutes of that vintage in that (apparent) condition aren’t particularly easy to find.
If it’s A415, we might meet up at Boxwood’s low-pitch class next year! 
Thank you everyone - I have sent David Migoya an e-mail as you suggested. I’ll let you all know how I get on - but in the meantime if anyone else has any information about it then please let me know.
Kind regards
Hugh150
