Hi all

We've noted quite a few flutes with the A.L marks under the keys, usually ascribed to Alexander Liddle. But there are still unanswered questions. Was A.L actually Liddle? Who made these flutes - A.L or the name on the flute or indeed someone else?

I've started a new page so we can draw what information we can find together in one location. It's already turning up an interesting story...

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Liddle.htm

We'll be especially keen to hear from anyone with a Liddle flute, or a flute with keys marked A.L that we haven't already noted.

Terry

Well if I remember correctly, The Liddle flute I worked on a while back had keys marked AL. Maybe Dave O. Can pull it out of the pile a check...

You out there, Dave? An image of the flute and a confirmation of the underkey markings would be brilliant.

Terry

Hi Terry,
Dont have my copy of Ciaran Carsons Last Nights Fun but thats how my memory has it.
AL stamps on a Goulding and D almaine. Sounded so romantic hidden mark and all that before I owned any antiques.
Its a great book .Read it many times but I could have it all wrong. Was there a Goulding and Wood and Ivy or
late of Goulding stamp? I seem to remember some connection but again memory is faulty.
If we take into account the anonymous AL flutes, there must be loads. I almost expect to see it on some flutes in a certain style.
Could Liddle have made them all? How much more prolific was he than other makers using key stamps?
Take Care, Patrick Dunn

This is thought to be one:

...............

the anonymous AL one I had had much smaller holes and pin mounted keys and looked less chunky
and less nice I suppose but had much wider rings.

the rings looked like a Prowse someone on here sold on ebay and I see them on other flutes now and again

I take by ,thought to be, you mean there is a key stamp but no on flute mark?

Alexander Liddle is listed in the 1871 Census, aged 62, a 'Wind Musical Instrument Maker', born in Blackfriars 1809

Most likely married Elizabeth Limbrick 1831, Old Church, ​Saint Pancras (?)

He's not listed in 1881 (presumed dead?)

Death of an Alexander Liddle (aged 64) was register at Gravesend in Kent in 1873

I'd need to look at the records but that seems the most likely

PS. I have an anonymous English flute with nickel silver bands and keys (marked A.L.) that is near identical to the attributed 'Metzlers' in your list.

Mark, I've already told Terry about your anon flute with AL keys (see Metzler thread).
Have you lost a century on that Liddle Gravesend death date?

Peter, those keys on your picture certainly look typically Liddle - the pointed arm extension over the cup, the asymmetrical Eb key....... I don't suppose you know if any of them are stamped?

Yep, typo error, I've edited accordingly. it's all best guess on the quick searches, would need checking.

From an insurance policy record held at Guildhall Library

Dated 20 July 1831
Insured: Alexander Liddle, 6 Eve Terrace St Pancras, gent
Other property or occupiers: Limbrick

Interesting that he's listed as 'gent'. At that time the distinction would be significant. He'd be 22 years old, unless it's his father or I've mixed up which Alexander married Elizabeth Limbrick.

Also check page 3 in this paper for advertisement and explanation of his pitch pipes
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3355456?seq ... eName=null

There was a connection between Wood and Goulding, but I think that was George Wood's father, "Jas" (James). That all seems to run out about 1834, which is somewhat before Liddle officially kicks in at 1847. But, if he was born in 1809, he could have been apprenticed in his mid teens which would have been around 1824.

I wonder if Carson's flute had I.H under the keys? He is reputed to have made keys for Goulding.

Let's try to find out for sure exactly what Carson said, and follow the lead then.

Terry

I've followed up matters raised so far and added what information I think useful and reliable at this time. Thanks all! See the updated page at

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Liddle.htm

Terry

Ah, an interesting turnup. There was also a flute key maker in the period called Lloyd. I've added a note about that, but we really could do with a given name!

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Liddle.htm

Terry

James Lloyd, Musical Instrument Maker, born around 1820 (aged 51 in the 1871 Census). Born in London, moved to Manchester, Irish connections. Ended up making brass instruments.

1861 Census: RG9/168 p 259 - 51 Broad Street, Finsbury
James Lloyd, Head, M, 40, Musical Instrument Maker, St James, Westminster
Mary Jane Lloyd, Wife, 37, Dublin, Ireland
Lousia Lloyd, Daughter, S, 15, Scholar, Manchester, Lancs
Julia Lloyd, Dau, S, 13, Manchester Lancs
James Richmond Lloyd, Son, S, 10, St Giles in Fields.

James and Mary Jane married in 1845 in Ireland

1871 5 Ellison St, Salford
James Lloyd, Head, M, 51, Musical Instrument Maker, London

1881 19 Gordon Street, Salford
James R Lloyd, Head, M, 62, Brass Musical Inst Maker, Middlesex, Soho?

Funnily enough Terry, an earlir James Lloyd was done for stealing brass in 1839
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yq4D ... al&f=false