Extant Pratten's Perfected flutes

[Terry McGee]

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

[Hup]

The horror ... the horror

[Terry McGee]

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

[Nanocircus]

No WAY is this the flute from the craigslist ad...

[Steve Bliven]

"SIMPLE system flute???"

Best wishes,

Steve

[Loren]

"If you can put this together properly, in 3 minutes, we'll consider you for the job."

True story.

[Terry McGee]

"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

[crookedtune]

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

[Steve Bliven]

"If you can put this together properly, in 3 minutes, we'll consider you for the job."

True story.

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

True story.

Best wishes.

Steve

[Loren]

"If you can put this together properly, in 3 minutes, we'll consider you for the job."

True story.

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

True story.

Best wishes.

Steve

Good one, a bit more serious than my story.

Loren

[Terry McGee]

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

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

[Terry McGee]

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

Terry

[Terry McGee]

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

[Peter Duggan]

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?

[Terry McGee]

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