Flute in C
Catalogue number: 2.9
Original name: Flute in C.
Type or system: Eight keys.
Maker: William Henry Potter fl. 1806 - 1837.
Place of origin: London, c.1809 - 1814.
Overall size: 668mm.
Technical description: Five sections of ebony or blackwood: Head joint: 167mm (196mm including patent metal tuning slide); barrel: 90mm; upper joint: 210mm; lower joint: 139mm; foot joint: 158mm).
Eight silver keys with pewter plugs; silver mouthpiece; slightly oval embouchure hole; overlapping C/C sharp touches.
Large finger holes. Ivory ferrules. Silver patent ‘glide’ style. (Flute key mechanism giving ‘a sliding motion to valve’).
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Key work and finger holes |
Finger hole diameter (av.) |
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Left hand thumb: |
B flat |
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Left hand, first finger: |
T; 6.1mm |
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Left hand, first finger: |
T; 6.1mm |
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Left hand, second finger: |
T; 7.2mm |
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Left hand, third finger: |
T; G sharp key; long F key; 6.2mm |
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Right hand, first finger: |
T; C key; 7.5mm |
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Right hand, second finger: |
T; 7.2mm |
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Right hand, third finger: |
T; cross F key; 5.0mm |
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Right hand, fourth finger: |
D sharp / E flat key; low C sharp key; low C key |
Inscription: Stamped on Head joint ferrule: “PATENT”; Stamped on Barrel: “WILLm. HENy / POTTER / JOHNSON’S COURT / FLEET STREET / LONDON”; Stamped on Upper joint: “WILLm. HENy / POTTER”; Stamped on Lower joint: “PATENT / WILLm. HENy / POTTER”.
Faults: Crack in head joint, barrel in two pieces. Long F key has been bent down. Silver embouchure sleeve is loose. Tuning screw cork has broken off.
Recording references: Flute recordings
Illustration references: See below
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 430 Hz.
Previous owner: J. M . Nicholson. Donated to Birmingham School of Music, 1943.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 75.
Gallery of Images
