Description

Rare special order ebonite flute – Rudall Carte & Co

We may be a bit biased (says Vicki), but this English flute made by the legendary masters Rudall Carte & Co is just a dream. It sounds and looks fabulous… can it really be made of plastic? Well, ebonite is the word and that sounds so much better, doesn’t it?

This beauty was made over 100 years ago… in 1921 to be exact. According to the Rudall Carte ledgers, it was made by the famous Henri SCHUMACHER (1859-?) He was born in Strasbourg, the son of an instrument maker and trained in Paris before moving to London in the 1880s to work at Rudall Carte.

This exceptional flute features a unibody design – the middle and foot joint are made in one piece. Its mechanism is mounted on two smooth, round-ended ribs. Its beautifully sculpted key cups echo classic Boehm and Mendler craftsmanship.

It features solid silver keywork, open G-sharp key and Brossa F# . It also has a special C# trill key for the right index finger.  Equipped with a reversed thumb mechanism, it also has a C-sharp roller providing an effortless transition between D-sharp and C-sharp. Not hallmarked, but professionally tested, the matching rings are also genuine silver.

The embouchure was custom-ordered in a square shape and features a solid silver inlay, measuring precisely 10.4 mm by 11.7 mm.

Finely made with precise, hand-filed facets, the keywork feels exceptional under the player’s fingers. It features comfortable key cups and rolling foot joint touchpieces that make the entire instrument a pleasure to handle.

The original leather case is full of character and is entirely functional, complete with its grease pot and thumb rest.

One hundred years ago, ebonite was highly valued and far more costly than traditional wood. So, who ordered this amazing custom-made, expensive instrument? It was ordered and purchased by the company Whaley, Royce & Co. Ltd. of Toronto, Canada. 

This flute was professionally restored some time ago and rarely used since. It remains in excellent playing condition at A=442 Hz, though the C-sharp trill key is somewhat loose and needs minor adjustment. Listen to the audio sample to hear it sing.

Leonardo DE LORENZO (1875-1962) – Adagio patetico

Our opinion

Representing the absolute highest level of 1920s English craftsmanship, this unique, special-order flute is in excellent playing condition and will bring its next owner endless hours of enjoyment.