Only 200 flutes so far, no photos, just the serial numbers and any description, if any, that came with the flute. Most of this information can be found on the net. From auction houses, museum sites, C&F references, flute nerd sites, and live sightings. Dave Migoya has the most information of course, but I don’t have access to that, and didn’t think to collect that information when it was available some years ago. Nevermind, this may be of use to some. I’ll add any serial numbers that turn up, or get sent to me. Advise me of any mistakes or if you want a name removed, added etc.
It’s an interesting and entertaining project. Wasn’t interested in Rudalls until I unexpectedly won 7103 by bidding online for the first time at a Gardiner & Houlgate auction. Strange story there, 7103 sold for 2117 GBP total at a G&H auction 2009, was put up on E-bay in 2010 starting bid 2500 GBP, no takers then I get it for 902 GBP totalt at a G&H auction, sept. 2012? What went on there? Play 7103 all the time, it’s a fine flute. Got hooked on Victoriana, and to my surprise got 5035 cheap in May by bidding online at another auction in Lewes, East Suffolk. Wasn’t expecting that either. 5035 needs a repad and has one broken spring, otherwise I play the patent head with an Olwell body. Anyone know anything about these two collectors Paul Jacob and Pádraig Ó Mhaoldomhnaigh?
Perhaps better known as Patsy Moloney, if only to distinguish him from the Chieftains’ piper… A good few of his flutes are illustrated In Robert Bigio’s book…
Actually I did, I thought it might be Paddy because I had heard that he has a small collection of Rudalls.
But then I remembered Patsy when Jem mentioned him.
Alas, Patsy’s brother Conor died of mesothelioma in Spring 2013. I acquired one flute from him and a young friend of mine another before his untimely demise and he was busy selling many things off for the benefit of his family, but I don’t know what has become of the remainder of his collection and stock (he was always a dealer). He left instructions regarding their disposal, I do know.
I know it’s a job of work dealing with the catalogue, but it’s a resource that I for one have sorely missed for quite some time. Thanks to David in advance for restoring it to us, and more generally for all the hard work in assembling it in the first place.
And mazel tov, Thomas, for your own foray into flute scholarship.
Patsy, too, is not a bad fluter in his own right.
He pretty much had the run of the Rudalls for many years, (along with Mr. Bingham), coming to be known as the Rudall Guy, often found dealing one or two from the trunk of his car at the Fleadgh or whichever other event.
I believe it was his Bb Rudall that Grinter used to model his own for Crawford’s use, wasn’t it?
anyways…
at the minimum i should get the serial number list online again. I just updated it this weekend from a very large folder with many many scraps of papers and scrawled numbers on them for ones cited or recorded over time.
Patsy’s a wonderful flute player, always at sessions around Birmingham and it’d be rare to see him sitting out of a tune because he didn’t know it. The Rudall he usually plays at sessions is a beauty too, silver crown (although it’s not a patent head), pewter Eb, wood’s in wonderful condition too, beautiful sounding flute.
edit - from that list it looks like the flute I was talking about is no 2718
“edit - from that list it looks like the flute I was talking about is no 2718” Oisincooke
Aye, well I found 2718 in Robert Bigio’s fine book. Any idea of how many Rudalls Patsy has in his collection? Could you ask him to write down the serial numbers if you see him . I don’t suppose that will happen though. All the best anyway
i remember a rather lengthy conversation with Patsy over his Rudalls and the lack of desire on his part to list or share the serial numbers, so if you succeed on that front, it’s a minor coup. I hope you do!
The same of many many people out there who have Rudall collections (including several well-known names). Most care not for anyone to have any idea of what they own, even if kept private. The largest collection of Rudalls in private hands – about 75 or so – sits with one individual who will absolutely not share the details. Clearly their right, but frustrating.
I actually have the #s from one private collection, about 35 Rudalls, with specific instructions not to make the #s public until the collector’s death. Go figure. It happens like that.
I’ve got a story about 3801. I owned that flute for a while. D.O. told me Matt Molloy called the flute “The Monster”. Quite a good name, I have to add.
“The same of many many people out there who have Rudall collections (including several well-known names). Most care not for anyone to have any idea of what they own, even if kept private. The largest collection of Rudalls in private hands – about 75 or so – sits with one individual who will absolutely not share the details. Clearly their right, but frustrating. I actually have the #s from one private collection, about 35 Rudalls, with specific instructions not to make the #s public until the collector’s death. Go figure. It happens like that” RudallRose.
Yes, frustrating indeed. I have prehaps the largest collection of Rudalls in Scandinavia. I’m willing to share all details of the two Rudalls in exchange for full disclosure from these other collectors.
“I’ve got a story about 3801. I owned that flute for a while. D.O. told me Matt Molloy called the flute “The Monster”. Quite a good name, I have to add.” Gabriel
Thanks Gabriel. Is 3801 very loud, or does it have large holes? Did you buy it new?
. I don’t suppose that will happen though. All the best anyway
refuses to share?