(See: D Eden and M Lea; The Powerhouse Museum - A Flute by Rudall & Rose in Flute Focus, issue 9, January 2007, pp.28-29)

This flute is representative of the work of Rudall & Rose, before the company transformed into Rudall & Carte. Stamped with a flower and inscribed RUDALL & ROSE/ NO 1 TAVISTOCK STREET/ COVENT GARDEN/ LONDON/ (flower emblem)/ 3522. it has a silver headcap with an embossed coat of arms (Dieu et mon droit) and RUDALL & ROSE/ PATENTEES. A printed label signed by the makers is glued to the inside of the case and warns customers to beware of imitation.

The flute is made of cocus in four sections and with a conical bore. Some of the eight silver keys feature pewter plugs as on the Potter example but others are domed shaped. There are closed keys for C, Bb, G#, short F, long F and D# and open keys for the low C# and low C. It uses flat springs with the keys pinned to wooden blocks. The flute features a British patent (G.B no.6338) taken out in 1832 by George Rudall for a special tuning slide mechanism, hidden in and controlled by the silver headcap.

Michael Lea and Danielle Eden
January 2009

From article "Eight Key Flutes - Powerhouse Museum Flute Collection" in Flute Focus
http://www.flutefocus.com/73-eight-key-flutes-powerhouse-museum.html

This instrument once belonged to a Dr D E Stodart and was donated to the museum by Leslie Barklamb in 1993.

Flute, eight keyed, wood / metal, and case made by Rudall & Rose, London, England, 1838-1847.

Flute with eight keys made from cocus wood and silver, four pieces (-1:4). The head joint incorporates three sections, the cap, mouth piece and tuning barrel. These pieces do not come apart the cap twists to operate the tuning barrel. The cap is silver and heavily embosed with a coat of arms and details of the Rudall and Rose patent on the tuning barrel slide, the sides of the cap have a heavy criss-cross pattern to provide grip for turning it. Both the mouth piece and tuning barrel are bound by curved silver bands top and bottom. Middle joint (-2) has three keyed holes and three uncovered finger holes, joints bound with red waxed thread. Second middle joint (-3) has two keyed holes and three uncovered finger holes graduating in size.The foot joint has three keyed holes, 2 operating onto square silver plates screwed on to the barrel of the flute, the levers are brass, joint banded with silver top and bottom. The case is covered with black leather, hinged lid and lined with green velvet.

Made: Rudall & Rose; England; 1800 - 1840

Head joint (-1) Silver cap embossed with a coat of arms "DIEU/ ET MON/ DROIT", around the edges "RUDALL & ROSE/ PATENTEES".

Middle joint (-2) Makers mark on the wood at the top of the piece, "(flower emblem)/ RUDALL & ROSE/ NO.1 TAUTISTOCK STREET/ COVENT GARDEN/ LONDON/ (flower emblem)/ 3522".

Foot joint (-4) Makers mark stamped on the wood " (flower emblem)/ RUDALL & ROSE/ LONDON/ (flower emblem)"

Label in case: Printed label glued to inside of case lining reads: Rudall & Rose, having discovered that/ flutes are offered for Sale bearing their names/ and address which have not been made by them, / are determined to guard the Public against/ such imposition by not sending out in future/ any Flute from their Manufactory without/ this Notice affixed to the top of the Case./ (Signed) George Rudall, John M Rose/ (handwritten) £13 = 3 " " Dr. D.E. Stodart/ £13,13

93/117/5

1800 - 1840