Yes, I was in Vegas and I went to the Star Trek Experience–I’ve done the ride before, this was just a visit to Quark’s and the Promenade Shops. Well, one of the shops carries props and prop replicas (meaning they were produced by the same prop people but simply never used on the show).
As I browsed, my roomate said, “Hey, here’s one for you” and it turned out to be Picard’s whistle! It was very nice, in a glass case/box with matting and a picture of Picard playing it. It was $2000, which to me seemed pretty cheap for the ACTUAL flute from the show–Star Trek props are notoriously expensive. Also, I can’t believe no one would have bought it yet. However, it could have been a prop replica.
Anyway, I tried to get a closer look at it, but it was on a higher shelf and behing glass, so you couldn’t really see it from the side. It looked like a cross between a Copeland and a Clarke–but I don’t remember it exactly because I was a bit drunk at the time and mostly overwhelmed with the desire to PLAY IT! It was right there!!! $2000 is laughably outside my budget but it was an extreme attack of WHOA.
The frustrating part is the shopkeeper came over and asked my about my interest and I explained what Irish Whistles are. Then I realized I’d left my LBW in the hotel room, or I COULD have whipped it out and played Picard’s Air (which I know by heart). It would have been so cool! Ah, well!
You know, it seems to be a great mystery as to whether or not the $2000 prop you saw is really the whistle used on any of the three episides of Star Trek TNG that the Ressikan Flute appeared in.
While two grand is certainly a heafty price, I’d think it would have sold before now if it’s the genuine article.
I’d think there would be a number of hardcore whistle collectors and/or Star Trek fans who’d gladly pay that price for the real Ressikan Flute… playable or not.
I know both Thom Larson and myself have sent e-mail requesting more information, and both of us had our e-mails returned marked undeliverable… very strange indeed.
Always remember the whistle was a prop and nothing more! It was not a playable whistle and Picard CERTAINLY never played anything resembling music on it.
“Number One, take a Number Two!”
(Beavis and Butthead)
On 2002-10-05 10:55, madguy wrote:
Always remember the whistle was a prop and nothing more! It was not a playable whistle and Picard CERTAINLY never played anything resembling music on it.
“Number One, take a Number Two!”
(Beavis and Butthead)
Patrick Stewart in an interview revealed he did in fact play on a playable´whistle although in some scenes a prop was used.The wherabouts and identity of the playable´one is unknown. Mike
I doubt it was the real whistle. It most likely a replica. The real (a?) whistle is currently in london, in a case, looking rather nice!
Standard whistle. much like a clark as is already said. I dont know a lot about whistles, so can’t say for sure. But i do have a picture (if they came out) and will post it when developed. As far as I can remember and could see. I see no reason why this whistle in the case could not be played.