What to do with these 6 old flutes...

[Andy Barnhart]

I can take better pictures of individual flutes if needed.

Anyway, I am a novice whistle maker and so assumed to be a woodwind expert by others. These flutes were found when the choir director was going through some dusty old boxes. I said I would see if they were worth anything and if so sell them and give the money back to the church.

Starting at the top...

1st one does not have a maker's mark that I can find. Does not appear to have much wrong either; missing a pad or two and they all need replacing.

2nd from top - Again no maker's mark. Cracked head (through embouchure), needs pads. The build quality seems low to me.

3rd from top - The maker's mark is hard to read but it looks like G. ASIOR - London. Missing key, head joint is thread wrapped and needs redoing. Substantial wear from being played. Someone loved this flute, possibly generations of someones. I don't think the white pieces are plastic...

4th from top - Can't find a mark. Multiple cracks in head (but none through embouchure)which I think the ugly milled rings were added long ago to "fix".

5th from top (2nd from bottom) - SCHRODER No.4 London. Very minor crack in head and the joint may need new thread.

Bottom - FIRTHHALL & POND, NEW YORK. Bad cracks in head (through embouchure). Needs thread and pads.

None seem to be missing wood and only one is missing a key. All keys are operational. It may be possible to repair the cracks, but I don't have the skill yet.

Anyway, I would appreciate any insight as to what they might be worth and how best to proceed.

Thanks!

[Jim McConkey]

Send them all to me for proper disposal!

Those seem to be some old flutes. Other than for traditional Irish music, the few-keyed wooden flutes were only popular until the mid-1800s, when Boehm came out with the more recognized metal flutes with more keys.

For the unmarked ones, check for imprinted letters on the keys. Some London makers' IDs can be found here: http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Keymarks.htm
Many of these other flutes were from London makers, so this would probably be a big clue.

#3 would be G(eorge) Astor of London, who built in the early 1800s. I found some Astor flutes going for over $1000 on Google. George and brother John Jacob were flutemakers who moved from Waldorf, Germany to England. John Jacob eventually left for the US and become one of the richest men of the time. The Waldorf-Astoria hotel is named after him.

#5 Schroder of London was also active in the very early 1800s.

#6 Firth, Hall & Pond were formed in 1833 and were active in the mid-1800s. http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Firth&c.htm.There are several Firth, Hall and Pond flutes listed here, #3 being the closest to what you have. http://www.vintage-instruments.com/catalogs/flutes.htm

All those values on-line are for instruments in good and probably playable condition. Sounds like most of these need work. As much as I would like to talk you out of one of these cheap, it sounds like they are historic and may be valuable. You should probably seek knowledgeable help in valuing and selling these. Stephen Bacon may be able to recommend someone.

[Andy Barnhart]

Thanks - you are correct about Astor. I found one online that had a close up of the mark and the one I have has the unicorn like the one I found on the net.

[Stephen Bacon]

Nice collection. They can be brokered or for a much better price repaired and brokered. You can of course sell them your self on ebay or a specific instrument sight. I would recommend selling them one at a time for the best price. However there are dealers who will buy the whole batch. If you contact me offline I can let you know a few folks who are in those businesses, that is dealers, brokers, and restorers. The market is in a slight slump, but sales are regular. Nothing too special, but not bad either, I think you can turn a nice profit for the church.