Currently, there is a similar sounding auction for a Rudall Carte. Here’s the description. “This flute is No. 640. Model 1867. There are no cracks, but no case. The keywork is presumed to be solid silver, and it was re padded 2years ago and has not been played since. Enbouchure hole to tip is 23”. The reserve on this is £250."
You should also have some concern about any eBay auction.
Funny things about this one: very recent member (couple of months?), sold mostly children’s toys before. Says there is a “reserve”, but it’s not a reserve auction (probably against the rules in eBay).
Also interesting, check his other current items, all musical instruments. Is he selling lots (sold a bunch of toys first, now is selling a bunch of musical instruments)?
It doesn’t look like a professional scammer to me, but as usual, buyer beware.
Mr Robert Bigio , The Rudall Carte expert , reckons a wooden low pitch 1867 patent Rudall Carte to be worth £ 550 to £600 in good order .The high pitch ones are worth very little .
The one on offer looks like an 1867 patent .A very good system it was too! , if you want the cylindrical bore sound .I have a couple and they are nice instruments .Of course Rudall Carte made many Boehm system flute.
One of our posters on this forum is kenR. He lives in Norwich, England. May be able to shed some light on this flute. If it’s ken himself selling it have no concern at all. Everthing will be legit.
The seller responded, and let me know that the flute is stamped with all the relevant Rudall information. She also sent two additional pictures, one is a slightly closer look at the keywork, and the other is a picture of the stamping on the body just below the headjoint, but it isn’t close enough to read it.
If anyone is interested, I can forward the pictures. Just send me a PM and I’d be happy to.
These are two different flutes-- referring back to the first post in this thread. The one I sold was simple system, conical bore. This is a Boehm system, cylindrical bore.
After I sold mine a scammer copied the listing from Ebay and offered the flute again, verbatim, to unsuspecting bidders-- though I cannot believe that anybody got hooked.
I find it hard to believe that anybody would confuse two such different flutes with each other.
No ,This one is the 1867 patent .It can be very difficult to tell if the keys are solid silver , especially for vendors not accustomed to these things .
One would formerly have asked Robert Bigio to check his Rudall Carte & Co books , but since his services have been abused he is unwilling to answer enquiries from people he doesn’t know .(And one he does know ! )
