Extant Pratten's Perfected flutes

Irish Flute
1

Back in October 2006, I started on a page about extant Boosey Pratten’s Perfected flutes. Then I kind of forgot about it. So, with apologies for tardiness, here it is at last:

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Prattens-Extant.htm

As usual, I’m on the scrounge for data, so, owners of original Boosey Pratten’s, please feel free to send me info about your flute. Owners of Hudson Pratten’s should check that I have your data already at:

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

Apart from data, there is some interesting information about the number of flutes Boosey made, and a few interesting photos, eg:

Terry

2

The horror … the horror

3

Perhaps we should have a Best Caption competition?

“Would suit home handyperson…”
“Just add water…”
“She wants it WHEN?”
“Insert Tab A into Slot B, bend over and glue”
“IKEA takes no responsibility for half-completed projects…”

Terry

4

No WAY is this the flute from the craigslist ad…

5

“SIMPLE system flute???”

Best wishes,

Steve

6

“If you can put this together properly, in 3 minutes, we’ll consider you for the job.”

True story.

7

“Honestly, mum, it just came apart in my hands…”

Already some more images and data on:

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Prattens-Extant.htm

Terry

8

But Terry, you said it could handle the pure drop!

9

That’s what they told me in the Army when they handed me the pieces of an M-14

True story.

Best wishes.

Steve

10

Good one, a bit more serious than my story.

Loren

11

Heh heh, this looks more like the result of The Long Drop!

(I wonder if other countries use that expression. In outback Australia, The Long Drop is a euphemism for a pit toilet.)

The flute was picked up at a junk-fair by a classical flute player in the US, at a negligible price. My price to restore it was far from negligible, as it really needed “the works”. I was a little afraid the owner might baulk, but in the outcome, she was delighted, and has gone on to play a lot of appropriate repertoire on it.

Terry

12

More new data and images at http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Prattens-Extant.htm!

Terry

13

Hmmm, could owners of original R.S. Prattens Perfecteds advise whether their flute carries Sid’s initials - RSP in a very floral style - at the top of their main maker’s mark block?

Terry

14

Is ‘Siccama style E’ (Royal College of Music London Prattens, No 4675) a typo for ‘Siccama style D’ (looks like a normal short F and covered low D on the same axle) or have I missed something?

15

The court recognises your concern. I was thinking E, but, because of ambiguity when we give keys note names, I’ve changed it to Siccama-style extended R3. It’s the D key, but it covers the E hole. Arrgghhh!

Terry

16

Now including Gofer-Joe’s all-silver Pratten’s, with an interesting clip to get additional support from L1.

Plus Robert Bigio’s ultimately-keyed wooden conical.

So far the highest serial number bearing Sid’s initials is 7676, with 8626 the lowest without - can anyone refine that gap? It’s starting to look like they dropped the initials (but not the name) upon Pratten’s death.

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Prattens-Extant.htm

Thanks all for the quick and valuable support for this project!

Terry

17

Is it only Pratten’s which are marked ‘Pratten’s perfected’ you are after? I have a late Bossey Pratten design but it is not marked P.P.

18

I had only assumed Pratten’s when I started, but we obviously need to answer the questions:

  • when did they drop the Pratten’s floral initials (possibly when he died)
  • when did they drop the Pratten’s name, and
  • did the design change after they dropped the Pratten’s name, or did Pratten’s influence effectively continue, and till when?

So, give us your data, and let’s look for prima facie evidence, and perhaps take it from there?

Terry

19

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-ca-1879-Boosey-Co-Prattens-Perfected-8-Key-Wooden-Irish-Flute-/221148476863?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337d79f5bf

20

Terry,
would my Hudson Pratten #221 be of interest?
Arbo