Showing 23 results

Archival description
Fisher flute collection
Print preview View:

Fisher flute collection

  • OTUFM 46
  • Collection
  • [ca. 1760 - ca. 1905]

Collection consists of late-eighteenth, nineteenth, and early-twentieth century flutes, predominantly made by various builders and companies in London, England, as well as two from Paris, one from France, and one from Bayreuth, Germany. The collection covers the mechanization and modernization of the flute, including the addition of holes and keys, and the move from wood to metal for the body of the flute.

Fisher, Sidney T.

Ten-key African blackwood flute with ivory head-joint : Stengel, Bayreuth

Item is a flute, made by Stengel in Bayreuth, with German-silver bands and keywork. This is an ultra-conservative conical-bore model which retains the eighteenth-century fingering, and has finger holes of the small pre-Nicholson type, and a long foot-joint to B. This model was in use for a century after Boehm introduced his cylindrical-bore model, and Wagner preferred it. Such flutes were listed by the German maker Heckel as late as 1931.

Ten-key flute in plated brass : France

Item is a flute, made in France, with built-up embouchure and finger holes. Al of the holes are small, except those in the foot-joint. The fingering is the same as the old conical-bored eight-key flute, plus a C and D trill key and an extra vent for F.

Cocuswood Pratten-system flute : [Boosey, London]

Item is a flute, likely made by Boosey in London, with German-silver bands and keywork mounted on pillars. Pratten, a celebrated English flutist, developed this system in 1852, and in 1856 Boosey started to make Pratten flutes. This flute has a cylindrical bore with large holes all covered, and is fingered like the eight-keyed flute.

Ten-key cocuswood flute : Abel Siccama, London

Item is a flute, designed by Abel Siccama and made in London, with sterling-silver bands and keys with adjustable pad sockets, except for the C and C-sharp keys, which have pewter plugs. The A and E holes are out of direct reach of the fingers, and are covered by keys.

Conical Boehm-style flute in African blackwood : Couesnon, Paris

Item is a flute, made by Couesnon in Paris, with German-silver bands and keywork. Boehm's research led in 1832 to his conical flute, fully vented and with large holes. It is largely regarded as "the greatest landmark of all in the modern history of woodwind design." This is the 1832 flute with the addition of the Briccialdi thumb key.

Eight-key cocuswood flute with wide sterling-silver bands : Thomas Prowse, London

Item is a flute, made by Thomas Prowse in London. The flute has sterling-silver keys with salt-spoon style ends, mounted on blocks. It is a brilliant example of the large-holed flute developed by the great English flutist Charles Nicholson Jr. The historical importance of this model is that Theodore Boehm heard Nicholson playing it during a visit to England in 1831. The epoch-making Boehm flute universally used today was the result.

One-key boxwood flute with ivory mounts : George Goulding, London

Item is a flute, made by George Goulding of London, England, with a silver square-ended D-sharp key. Its typical eighteenth-century small embouchure and finger holes produce a sweet and delicate tone. This type of flute was first seen in about 1672 on the European continent, about 1705 in England, and was in general use until 1780.