Current value of nice Rudall 8 keys

[Casey Burns]

What is the current wisdom on the value of a Rudall 8 keyed flute?

In my possession is a nice Rudall, Rose and Carte #6078 that came in a Rudall and Rose case marked #4908 that my friend purchased in 1982 from a Sothebys auction.

All the keys are there and with a little bit of care they would be perfect. There is a minor crack on the side of the head joint and barrel joint that has been well sealed. Doesn't go through the embouchure. The embouchure looks to be about 12.1 X 9.75, fingerholes not unreasonably large. This flute has the cutout for the 1st finger on the upper middle joint and a small square of shark skin inlayed for the thumb on the lower middle joint. I haven't measured it or tested it yet but my friend said it was a good player and in tune. My experience with these later Carte flutes has been the same, and a Rudall Carte is what I based my Rudall model on. Eventually I'll post photos.

Casey

[jemtheflute]

In fully restored playing condition, at the very least £2000 GBP, maybe more. Silver keys? Ought to be between £2.5-3k, even in today's crap market.

[Jon C.]

Sounds interesting Casey! Sometime if you could measure the starting bore in the upper section, some of the RRC flute were 19mm at the start of the bore. I am working on one right now, where I have to replace the upper section. But yours sounds pretty custom, with the cut outs, Nicholson's Improved style.