This is a genuine Rudall Carte silver flute from the glory years of the early 1900s. Rudall Carte made relatively few silver flutes during this period. This superb example is in full playing order and has been serviced ready for sale.

The flute was made in July 1912 by George Green, one of the fine flutemakers working at Rudall Carte at this time. Green was 38 years old and at the height of his powers. With soldered toneholes, and handmade all in silver, this was one of the most expensive flutes in the catalogue. It was made for Seymour Biscoe Tritton, a successful and prominent railway engineer living in the London suburbs at Surbiton Hill, and his initials appear on the original silver plaque on the lid of the case, which was recently restored to the highest standard by Chris Raven.

To show how few silver flutes were being made during this period, it is worth noting that in the three months of June, July, & August 1912 Rudall Carte completed 35 flutes, of which 32 were in cocuswood or ebonite, and only three including this flute in silver.

The seamed silver body is thin-wall at 0.012", making the flute light in the hands and giving the sound a lyrical and fluid character. The headjoint has a modern feel, with a rectangular embouchure hole that allows for a wide range of dynamics and colours. Condition is excellent, with no damage or old repairs to the mechanism. To reinforce the lower tenon we soldered in place a small silver internal support, which is discreet and has proved trouble-free for the present owner, who acquired the flute four years ago. We carried out a full service at that time and since then the flute has been only lightly used. 

We have serviced the flute again ready for sale. The flute comes in its original case which was restored for the present owner by Chris Raven.

For the avoidance of doubt, this is not a modern 'Crown' flute stamped with the Rudall Carte name but actually produced by Boosey & Hawkes in the 1960s, of which there are many examples, none of them of this quality. Rather, this is a rare silver flute from the Rudall Carte workshop at a period when it was producing the finest flutes in the world.   

Please  contact us if you require more information or wish to purchase a flute.

We will send you an invoice with details of how to pay by bank transfer, IBAN, etc.

Selling your flute

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