At session this week the adult son of one of our semi-regulars came, and after the music was played and brew was downed, we did some convivial whistle swapping. He let me play a low G Shaw (eh) and then his GREAT grandfather’s Clarke…from 1867! It was very neat…sounds almost identical to my 1990’s one.
Hi, Tyghress.
What did the old Clarke whistle look like? Did it have similar black paint with gold decorations as the ones sold now?
Best wishes,
Jerry
Jerry, this critter was so old there was barely a paint job on it at all. I know there were the remnants of rings, and I know there were no diamonds, but that’s about it.
I have a brass D that is about a hundred years old, made in London. It has lead in the mouthpiece so you know it’s old. It doesn’t sound all that great, either.
Any brand name on that brass whistle?
It was a brand I’ve never heard of before. I’m at work now, so can’t get it to examine again. TeriK was the one who let me know it was on Ebay at the time and she said it was a well known maker in London 100 years ago.
I believe i saw that whistle for sale it’s mouthpiece reminded me of a Overtone how it kinda curves in. Is that the one, How does it play.
I think the one that came today may well be the oldest I’ve played. I put a longer description in the “Ornate Whistle” thread.
If any of the old instrument afficionados here has any ideas about it, I’d love to hear them. I’d also be willing to take and post a better picture than the one on eBay, except I have no idea how to do it (post it, that is).
Chuck, the biggest array of old whistles/fifes/flutes I’ve seen was in Ralph Sweet’s home. He doesn’t get on the board much, but he does read his email. You may want to ask him.
There are a couple of old English whistles discussed here.
This is an 1860s-vintage Barnett Samuel G whistle that a friend gave me in January:
After a considerable effort, I got it playing again, but since it has a lead plug in the mouthpiece, I’ve only played it a bit. Eskin has a similar but somewhat newer G whistle, and we played a tune together on them a while back just for fun.
And I’d love to know when this Generation C of mine was made:
Does anyone here know?
-Jonathan-