Chiff and Fipple Forums

So, perusing eBay as one does from time to time, I came across this listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313534922967?h ... SwtnJgnchI

I don't think I've ever seen a rant so likely to make me run like heck away from a possible purchase on eBay. However, I'm curious if everyone else thinks this is a William Hall frankenflute. The RH section looks like a mismatch to the rest of the flute or someone did some weird repair to it. The flute clearly needs some work.

I'm a big fan of these US made early/mid 1800s flutes...smaller holes but usually good volume and good tuning. I'd not touch this one with a 10 foot pole, though. It's double the price of the Firth & Pond I bought recently that had no issues, never had a crack, and is an 8 key, but sellers can price their wares however they wish.

Eric

That one has had some discussion on the Facebook group Flute History Channel, full of scholars, experts & repairers. They're not pleased.

I'll have to search for that group on FB...never heard of it. Thanks Kevin.

Jayhawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:57 am I'll have to search for that group on FB...never heard of it. Thanks Kevin.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Flute.History.Channel

Jayhawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:12 amI don't think I've ever seen a rant so likely to make me run like heck away from a possible purchase on eBay.

Nice sales pitch:



"Screw you all. Now buy this flute."

Nanohedron wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:11 pm

Jayhawk wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:12 amI don't think I've ever seen a rant so likely to make me run like heck away from a possible purchase on eBay.

Nice sales pitch:



"Screw you all. Now buy this flute."

LOL...exactly!

The seller doth protest too much, methinks.

Sigh, even with the URL below, I can't find that topic on the Flute history channel. I suspect it says more about me than them! Anyone able to provide instructions to someone more at home in mid-19th century London than navigating Facebook?

kkrell wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:25 am https://www.facebook.com/groups/Flute.History.Channel

Terry McGee wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:47 pm Sigh, even with the URL below, I can't find that topic on the Flute history channel. I suspect it says more about me than them! Anyone able to provide instructions to someone more at home in mid-19th century London than navigating Facebook?

kkrell wrote: ↑Tue Jul 20, 2021 10:25 am https://www.facebook.com/groups/Flute.History.Channel

Terry, once you've joined, under the Flute History Channel title, there's a line with "About Discussion Announcements Room" etc. Near the end of that, there's a Search icon (magnifying glass), which searches only within the group. Search for "William Hall". Should take you to Hammy's (Cornelius Ward) post.

Oh my goodness, no wonder I couldn't find it! "Just go down to where Byrne's Mill used to be, of course there's no sign of it now. Then take a left and proceed along the embankment until you find the canal that takes you up to Camden Lock. It's not marked, but you can't miss it..."

But yes, interesting chappie. I'd wonder if something in his background has sensitised him to resent information he'd rather not hear. We've seen quite a few national leaders like that in the earlier Covid days.....

Well, I've got (2) 6-key W. Hall and Son's flutes (one with Brooklyn, NY stamps) and both with silver keywork and fittings that appear to be grenadilla or cocus. My rings are narrower and both have a raised central ridge that, at least to my eyes looks a bit more elegant than the bands in the e-bay flute from the OP. One has a serial number of 8880 and the other any stampings are long worn away. Keywork and blocks on mine look virtually identical to the OP.

I don't know if these are as collectable as the e-bay seller seems to think, but they are great flutes and if my house was on fire they are the first possession I'd go for. Note that I got them in cracked and unusable condition and self restored them with pretty invisible fixes. Still I didn't pay an appreciable fraction of what the e-bay listing is currently at, so I don't have any idea where he got his value from (but in unlikely the event it sells for that kind of price I'll have to save the listing for my beneficiaries).

I haven't read the Facebook thread yet, but am certainly curious.

To facilitate viewing by anyone else curious about this matter, here's a direct link to the Flute History Channel thread mentioned above: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Flute.H ... 425158615/ (as it's Private FB group, only group members can see content, but people are welcome to apply to join!).

As I mention in that thread, there had been one or two previous threads posted by the eBay vendor, Joseh Campagna, about his flutes for sale, subsequently removed by him, the responses to which were what so enraged him. He is clearly delusional.