This antique boxwood fife was made by James JORDAN (1807/8-1852). James Jordan was born in Ireland. At some point, he travelled to Liverpool. He started a new life in England. He was listed as a musical instrument maker and woodwind dealer from around 1830. James Jordan was also an inventor. In 1851, he exhibited five brass instruments at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London. They included ‘newly-invented’ instruments: euphonic serpenteleide, euphonic horn, tenor-valve ophicleide and cornopeans.

James Jordan was married to Alice Walmsley. In 1852, James Jordan died of ‘consumption’ – a historical name for tuberculosis. His wife Alice continued on the business with her sons and workers. The company would be renamed A. Jordan & Co. and was in business for several years to come.

According to the literature, only a couple of instruments by James Jordan have survived. This is one of them!

Here we have a boxwood fife by James Jordan in excellent condition. There are no cracks or warping. This boxwood C fife has a nominal pitch of B-flat. It plays at around a=427 Hz. It can be dated to around 1840.