E-Bay piccolo

[jemtheflute]

Well, the OP RC picc went for £226, with a lot of interest. It was definitely a CP one in D - I eventually heard from the vendor that the OL including finial was 32cm - they didn't give the SL, though it was asked for. I think that's a pretty fair price, If selling one direct in full fettled condition, I'd look for c £250. This one had a barrel crack to fix and maybe needed a repad and the lapping renewing and the stopper checking, but was otherwise perfect, so the £226 is only a little over the top. No depression of the market here!

However, I do take note of Neil's reservations. While the crown and finial and the woodwork generally look normal RC, the rounded swell of the barrel is not the normal style on these RC piccs and the ferrules and keys don't look like the usual in-house ones, more like Potter fittings....... I wonder how well it will play????

Anyone here win it?

[Neil B]

As I noted before it was made by H stark for RC hence the odd key work.

[jemtheflute]

As I noted before it was made by H stark for RC hence the odd key work.

Quite, noted and credited! You also spotted the lack of the address in the stamp, Neil. I did initially (see my first post) spot the style of the keys was unusual, though, lacking measurements, that made me wonder about size. Your comments made me look more closely - and I realised about the barrel profile and ferrules.

[Neil B]

As discussed elsewhere probably a lot of H Starks flutes were returned.....however not this time I'm sure the seller doesn't care about historical facts LoL

[jemtheflute]

Well bottom line, the RC stamp is genuine and it's in the RC records, so there is no deceit, let alone intentional deceit. Caveat emptor applies, totally fairly.

[Neil B]

Not sure where your coming from Jem I wrote it was made for RC by Stark hence the crown and name but no addy. I also added before it was a D where is the deceit mentioned?

[jemtheflute]

I read you as implying the vendor was deceiving, or at least disingenuous. In fact they're just typical non-specialist ignorant, which is not a matter of blame. It's up to would be buyers to check.....

[Neil B]

Misread Jem look again, had it not been a D I might have went or it
myself, the reason it went so high was down to Ben... joke Ben joke!

[Steampacket]

So Neil B, the Putney Rudall story amused you. Interesting. As regards flagging auction house, and/or E-Bay flute auctions here on C&F, it appears to have little or no impact on final prices. Even though there is a great deal of interest when a Rudall turns up, it seems that few people on this flute forum go so far as to actually bid on these old Victorian instruments. Just now a simple system Rudall can be acquired far cheaper than a modern equivalent. Arthur Haswell has a fine Rudall Carte, ready to play, for 1795 GBP. I doubt you'd ever get a 6 or 8 key Olwell or Wilkes for that money. Hope you find a piccolo in F, if you haven't already?

[Neil B]

The B was to get logged on there is another Neil on here but to date never seen him ( I heard that Ben.... B is my middle name:-)) Yes the story was right out of an Arthur Conan Doyle book, you should start writing more LoL. The F piccolos by RC seem to be thin on the ground I have a body and head but no keys. Most went to their shop in Dublin from what I have gleaned. As the Eb piccolos superceded the F there must be a few still laying about, but to find them is my problem. Still had a nice couple of replies on my WTB a foot for a Boosey F no foot but at least folk are looking and taking the time to reply as you have done:-))

[Steampacket]

Neil have you seen that Rudall Carte & Co. 8513 is on E-Bay? I know next to nothing about piccolos so I can't tell if it is an Eb or an F? Can you tell by just looking, or do you have to know the sounding length etc? I'll keep an eye out and give you a shout if I see anything as I'm always searching for stuff.

As regards the Putney Rudall transaction I asked the seller what she knew about the flute, previous owners etc., and she said it had belonged to her boyfriends family who came from Donegal. She is preparing to move houses and it was whilst rummaging through some clothes that she found the flute at the bottom of a wardrobe.

[Neil B]

Thanks Steampacket my searches are slow not yet notified which of course is dangerous if it had a BIN price. However in this case it'll be there a while probably. Nice case this time Ben & it is a D Jem:-) lovely to know the past history all I've managed is when it was made and who sold to, the in betweeners are the puzzle until it gets to me usually all you get from the last is a house clearance find. If you spot anything, being selfish can you drop me a line direct please, this one can go to Ben & Jem. LoL

[jemtheflute]

Not at that price, even if it wasn't Stateside with the hassle that entails. Waaay over the top asking price, even if it had sterling silver keys (which it hasn't and which would be very unlikely this late). It is beaut, though - deserves top dollar (£250-300 IMO), but not what it's been pitched at.

[benhall.1]

Not at that price, even if it wasn't Stateside with the hassle that entails. Waaay over the top asking price, even if it had sterling silver keys (which it hasn't and which would be very unlikely this late). It is beaut, though - deserves top dollar (£250-300 IMO), but not what it's been pitched at.

It does look nice. No better than mine, though and, reading between the lines, probably not as good as mine. As you know, Jem, mine is completely "as new", including the pads, and everything is perfect, as if it had never been touched. Except the case, strangely ... I suppose it's just corroded over the years ...

[Flutesoftheforest]

Hi
I have a Rudall Carte & Co.( 23 Berners Street) # 46**, 6 key piccolo with a sounding length of 240mm. What key will it be?
If it is of interest to someone it could be available for sale.