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Trying to estimate the date of this antique Clark (no E?) that just arrived in the shop. I reached out to Clarke and they didn't know either. Anyone here have an somewhat educated guess? Thanks much!

I should add that Jim at Clarke said...

"Definitely looks like a CLARKE , the only thing I can think of is that Clarke did produce ‘own brand’ whistles for a number of British companies over many years, particularly for export!
Regrettably I cannot give a date of manufacture."

This one is late 19th century (possibly) to early 20th century (almost certainly).

Image no. 10 in Norman Dannatt's "The History of the Tin Whistle" clearly shows a 1903 Lyon & Healy Catalog page with a "Clark's London Flageolet" priced at $1.35 per dozen.

whistlecollector wrote:
Image no. 10 in Norman Dannatt's "The History of the Tin Whistle" clearly shows...

There IS such a thing?! omg I think I need it

You can find it here or here.

And perhaps check the review on the Amazon page...

Best wishes.

Steve

Tyghress wrote:

whistlecollector wrote:
Image no. 10 in Norman Dannatt's "The History of the Tin Whistle" clearly shows...

There IS such a thing?! omg I think I need it

CAVEAT!!!

At best it's a kind of ramble through the early history of the Clarke family along with the evolution of the company. I got it when it was first published and was severely disappointed that it's basically an infomercial for Clarke whistles. There is absolutely nothing whatsoever about any kind of whistle other than Clarke. There are very few pictures of even Clarke whistles other than relatively new Clarke products. They don't even reproduce Norman's wonderful collection of actual historical Clarke whistles!!

If you're interested in the story of Robert Clarke and the company, then it's a good read. There's also a section on well known whistlers which is certainly worth a look if you've already got the book, but not a sufficient draw to buy.

If you're interested in the history of the penny whistle as a musical instrument, I'd give this book a pass.

I also strongly dislike the choice of heavy glossy paper for the insides of the book. Very annoying choice.

I notice the name G. CLARK'S LONDON MAKE, however I have an old whistle in F that is stamped R. CLARKE. Who is G. Clarke? A brother, cousin?

What a wonderful old beauty.

How does it sound? If it is from the turn of the century, would you say it references a different standard for A (i.e. not 440hz). Just curious. Coming from a background of highland pipe I know that there are some huge differences over the span of a hundred years for what is considered in-tune.

Curators at the Smithsonian often use typography to date things--I bet that typeface would speak to them. They have an obligation to answer public queries, but they generally resist frivolous queries like "my grandmother had this sewing machine, how much is it worth?" If you wrote to the musical instruments division and explained your background and goals you might get an answer.

I'd be worried about the solder on that.

I have a very old Clarke whistle with W Clarke on it. When I contacted Norman Dannatt and forwarded photos to him, he replied that it was definitely one of their own but was unable to work out who the W was. He did say that a branch of the family opened a factory in Hackney so, it was possible, that the W was one of that branch so maybe the D and the G are also. He was unable to date it accurately but suggested turn of the century or earlier.

PB+J wrote: I'd be worried about the solder on that.

A little lead helps soften the brain and loosen up the playing