| Description | This division of the Collection includes recorders, flageolets and transverse flutes and contains over three hundred and eighty instruments in total. The flageolets and whistles in the Edinburgh University Collection constitute a fair cross-section of the fipple flutes used in Britain in the 19th century, with a sample of instruments from France. Reflecting the actual population of flageolets and whistles made and sold, the greater part of those in the Collection were probably intended for the domestic use. The recorders include a handful of choice items, the renaissance tenor bearing the !! mark and the transitional renaissance-baroque descant by Haka being of particular importance. The transverse flutes in the Edinburgh University Collection constitute a fair cross-section of the flutes used in Britain in the period 1740-1950 with a sample of instruments from other European countries and North America. In relation to the population of flutes made and sold, the greater part of those in the Collection were probably intended for the amateur player and for the bandsman, although quite a number are of a sufficiently high quality to have been used professionally. All the principal systems and sizes of instrument (except those larger than the alto flute in G) are present, including several, such as the Carte 1867 system, used widely in Britain but rarely elsewhere. Many of the flutes in the Edinburgh University Collection are still outstanding for their tone and craftsmanship, and remain as a testament to the integrity, artistry, and in some cases ingenuity of their makers, as well as serving to inspire makers and players today. Star items include an ivory descant recorder by Haka, from c 1700; a Van Heerde treble recorder from c 1725 and many others as listed. The core of this division of the Collection was acquired by the Reid Professor of Music in the 1850s. Many further items have come from the Glen Collection. Many further items have come from the Rendall Collection and the Sir Nicholas Shackleton Collection. Some items have also come from the Brackenbury Collection and the Mickleburgh Collection. |
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