Chiff and Fipple Forums

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

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.

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.