I was just watching PBS’s “Antique Roadshow.” The third episode from Savannah, GA included a Rudall. The man said it had been in his family for years. (I think he said it belonged to a “Captain Cook”?). Anyway, the appraiser identified it as a Rudall Rose & Carte from around 1858. It was made of cocus. The appraiser valued it at $2500-3500. He advised the owner, who didn’t seem to be a flutist, to have some work done on it. (It looked like there was a crack near the embouchure hole.) The appraiser told the owner that Irish flute players would highly desire the flute.
It was funky, but not off-putting. There was a long crack though the embouchure, and another further down (toward the player) extending from the cap end of the headjoint, if my eyes still serve me. The head and barrel seemed lighter/redder than the lower sections. I can’t recall if a serial number was mentioned.
I’m not sure if they mentioned the serial number. But you might be able to see it if you watched on tape and stopped the tape when they showed a close up of the flute.
I think the appraiser was from Vintage Instruments in Philadelphia.
Board member Don Lambert has seen the flute, its case and the signed Pratten certificate. Quite lovely. I’m still working the restoration of it. Hopefully it will be ready in about 2-3 weeks. I’ve got a visitor coming around then and would love to show it off.
I try to stay on top of all Rudall sightings when possible, to ensure that my website catalogue is as up to date as possible. Honest. Few Rudalls will come by that will catch my atttention enough to purchase. I’m blessed to have some very good playing ones in my private use. So I’m not really in the hunt, so to say, any longer.
