I have an authentic Rudall & Rose Orchestral wood flute from 1820.
The flute is in perfect condition and has been frequently played by me for the past 25 years.
It is made from rosewood with silver fittings.
There are no cracks, splits and all blocks are pinned and sound.
The serial nos is 721; hallmark Rudall & Rose, Nos 15 Plaza, Convent Garden, London.
It is also in it’s original casing, and the original case is included in the sale.
Estimate has been given for €4,000.0 and I waiting to hear from Bonhams to provide a certificate of value.
The flute tunes well throughout its range, and there is good scope for the tuning slide to play in concert pitch.
Photos are available on request.
I also have a wooden piccolo flute that I have not dated, but as it is keyed, i suspect mid 1800’s also.
I would like to proceed asap with a sale as I am invested in an alternate instrument; so your offer will be seriously considered.
Nollaig Ó Fiongháile
Irish Research Council’ New Ideas Awardee
Dublin Institute of Technology’ Fiosraigh Scholar
Research & Development Advisor for Creative Arts & Media
T: +353 1 5328133
E: n.ofionghaile@icloud.com
My first reaction is that you’ve reached the right audience. But that’s a lot of flute to be offering up in such an anonymous way. Care to introduce yourself to the group?
Welcome Nollaig!! Excuse me for nitpicking, but I don’t think Rudall & Rose started making flutes together before 1821? Also the bottom seems to have dropped out of the old English flute market this last year or so, but you never know, if you find the right buyer… all the best
ok, thanks for all the enquiries and the information collated so far:
An authentic Rudall & Rose Orchestral wood flute from ca 1820 for sale.
The flute is in perfect condition and has been frequently played by me for the past 25 years.
It is made from rosewood with silver fittings.
There are no cracks, splits and all blocks are pinned and sound.
The serial nos is 721; hallmark Rudall & Rose, Nos 15 Plaza, Convent Garden, London.
It is also in it’s original casing, and the original case is included in the sale.
Estimate has been given for €4,000.0 and I waiting to hear from Bonhams to provide a certificate of value.
The flute tunes well throughout its range, and there is good scope for the tuning slide to play in concert pitch.
Photos are available on request.
I also have a wooden piccolo flute that I have not dated, but as it is keyed, i suspect mid 1800’s also. I do not see a hallmark and it is made from a hardwood, looks like rosewood also.
Nollaig Ó Fiongháile
Irish Research Council’ New Ideas Awardee
Dublin Institute of Technology’ Fiosraigh Scholar
Research & Development Advisor for Creative Arts & Media
Serial number 721 should be at Coventry Garden but not in 1821. That would be Tavistock I think?
Slightly unusual posting full personal contact details here but Nollaig’s professional contact details are easily available on the web if anyone needs to verify whether she’s the seller.
I have seen both, but most of the keys from that period were deep salt spoon. Not really any set design, it probably hinged on the customer, as it does in the present day. I can here the customer say, “Gee, can you make the key cups a little lower?”
We sometimes forget that Rudall and Rose were businessmen, and the customer is always right!
I bought the flute from Stephen Chambers at the Willie Clancy about 32 years ago; he still remembers it, it is a sweet one. I played it for about 15 years then progressively moved over to the low whistles. I am not in the session scene and haven’t done gigs for 20 years so you’ll not know me from the flute scene. Nevertheless, it is a legit sale and I am legit as you can follow my track record on the net.
Some of you might have noticed that the seller of the Rudall posted that I had the flute in my possession for consideration. I asked her to delete my name from the post and she kindly did so.
If anybody would like my impression of the flute please send me an email and I will respond. This will not be an evaluation of the flute’s value or an estimation of what it might sell for on the open market.
Thanks for the feedback all and the heads up on differing values and differing markets. The questions raised are probably best answered by way of valuers of flutes of the period on the open market. I will proceed with getting a full appraisal and certification from Bonham’s auctioneers of fine art and antiques/ instrument department in the UK. I am not an expert in these matters and I would prefer to back up a sale with as much documentation and research as possible. I’ll post an update as soon as i receive further information.
Just an update that all enquiries re the Rudall & Rose flute should be directed to Hammy Hamilton, who is handling the sale on my behalf. Colin is reachable at Hamilton Flutes Cúil Aodha, Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland. Ph. 353(0)26 45209
