Expert: Suzie - 5/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: Antique Probably Military in 2 parts. Box wood and ivory pre 1900 both parts are
marked with crown, top RUDALL ROSE CARTE AND Co LONDON Other part
RUDALL ROSE CATRE AND Co 20 CHARRING CROSS LONDON Would like to send
you Photos. I would like to sell it. what would be the best way

ANSWER: Hello and thanks for writing! Please send photos for more information of your piccolo. Also can you provide an overall length (from end to end) of the piccolo when assembled? Please send any photos to me at info@foreverwoodwinds.com . Thanks -Suzie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Please confirm you have recieved my photos
kind regards
john squire

Answer
Hello and thanks for writing! I DID receive your photos and I apologize for not contacting you sooner! Rudall Carte is an excellent company well-known for producing superior instruments during the 1800s. Your piccolo is made of boxwood with ivory rings and crown with block-mounted brass keys. Your length of 15-3/4" throws me off a little bit as I THINK it's an Eb flute and not a piccolo. I'm having a "brain fart" at the moment but here is an example of measurements:
C flute = 26.5"
C piccolo = 12.25-12.5"
Db piccolo = 11.5-12.25"

F flutes are longer than Eb flutes and Eb flutes are longer than C piccolos. Here's a chart of measurements of flutes and their appropriate pitches: http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/flutelengths.htm . According to that chart, 15.75in. to mm = 400.05mm (according to google) which is closest to the Bb band flute (on the flute chart). If you can find someone who plays the flute and get them to play a few notes with a tuner and jot down what the tuner said in conjunction with which holes they covered (even if they covered the first hole and blow into the flute/piccolo) that'd even help to determine the key of the instrument. Depending on where you're located in the UK I have a friend there who may be able to help (if you're local to where she is) determine the pitch, etc.

As for value I'd suggest a minimum value of $200 to around $400 depending on the key and the best way to sell it would be to list it on eBay. Hope that helps! Thanks -Suzie