I’m probably the last person on earth to know about this but : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ANTIQUE-WOODEN-8-KEY-FLUTE-WALLIS-/150583171068?pt=UK_Woodwind_Instruments&hash=item230f74d7fc
I have done repairs to a Wallis flute in the past , seemed prety good. thi sone has some lavish decorative touches.
Looks lovely. When would this have been made, do you think?
I’m not that clued up on fine details of flute history but I’d guess 1830-40.
Having said that I’ve just compared it to one of my R+R style flutes (based on an 1833 flute) and the Wallis has larger holes. If the general trend for larger holes was universal then the Wallis could be later.
I’ve just “Googled J. Wallis flutemaker” and got a site which says that the firm was established between 1848-1928. So I guess that makes this flute a bit later. We need someone with Langwill’s, I guess. The embouchure hole looked kind of round and smallish to me … ?
Pretty, ain’t it? After about 1820/Nicholson, the hole size per se doesn’t indicate much. I’d have guessed later mid-century, mind, without having Wallis’s dates (crossed with Ben). In some respects it is reminiscent of Metzler and related output, though I don’t think this one has the archetypal Liddle keys - just similar (also a later feature - they’re not “salt-spoon” as one would expect pre c1850). I don’t recall seeing many pre 1850 flutes with tone-hole bushing.
But hush!
The other Wallis that I know also has bushed tone holes, I can’t remember much about the keywork.
Langwill’s seems to say 1884-91 , since marked as Joseph Wallis & Son (not Ltd., which is later).
Kevin Krell
I stand (rather massively) corrected!
That IS rather late, isn’t it? A mere youngster, barely an antique. Earlier instruments were marked just Joseph Wallis, at a variety of addresses up to the Euston Rd. one, then Joseph Wallis & Son, then Joseph Wallis & Son, Ltd.
Am I wrong in saying that so late in the century it is more likely to find HP flutes? And the sounding lenght is kind of short also?
Possible that late, but by no means a foregone with 8-keyers… and the SL at 577mm is perfect (my 1843 R&R is 578mm). Knowing the C#-Eb might be helpful, but I’d reckon not necessary.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ANTIQUE-WOODEN-8-KEY-FLUTE-WALLIS-/150583171068
WoW !! over £1000! looks a cool instrument maybe!
the winner as even step over very important other bidders…
compliments (?)
I had a bid on this flute…obviously not enough 
Yeah, I stuck a “keeper” snipe on it not far above the start, just in case it turned out to be one of those no-one bothered with, but frankly, I wouldn’t have paid that for it unrestored. It may well turn out to be an excellent flute, but at face value it is just another of those “English Gentlemen’s Flutes” of the Metzler/Liddle style (I don’t think that one’s keys are Liddle’s, though) but with fancy trim (not, I think, in sterling silver, - looks GS to me). I think the pretties, eye-catching as they are, may have a lot to do with the result!
Had the same idea Jem, it would be a good winter project but indeed not at that price. 