Description

Solid silver Boehm flute with gold lip-plate – RITTERSHAUSEN, Emil

This silver Boehm flute was made by the renowned Berlin-based maker Emil RITTERSHAUSEN. Carl Emil Cäsar RITTERSHAUSEN (1852-1927) worked for Boehm & Mendler before setting up his own workshop in his native Berlin. His Boehm flutes and piccolos were prized by professional flutists worldwide.

Judging by the serial number 2916, it looks like this flute was made around 1906. It exhibits the exceptional build quality and soldered tone-holes characteristic of Emil Rittershausen’s finest work, featuring a finely formed 10.10 x 12.40 mm oval embouchure. This was a top-of-the-range instrument for its time, featuring a professional B-foot, open G-sharp key and a reversed thumb mechanism. It includes handy adjusting screws for both thumb keys, the F-B connection, the D and F keys and both the C and B foot keys. For trills, it has a very long, special key for the right-hand index finger – used for G-sharp or G trills. But the standard B-trill lever is completely missing – its original owner probably wanted didn’t want it as it would get in the way.

In terms of condition, the flute is currently playable with a great sound, though it will ultimately need a full overhaul to perform at its absolute best. The spring hook for the D-sharp key is missing – it probably just fell off at some point. But this is a very quick and easy repair for any technician. Physically, the instrument is in very nice shape and is plays at the pitch of around A=435 Hz.

Our opinion

Combining great craftsmanship, a premium gold lip-plate and very nice overall condition, this exceptional flute is a true prize for any serious player or collector looking to own a magnificent piece of musical history.