Maker Name

Rudall Carte & Co. (estab. 1872)

Maker Biography

Richard Carte (1808-1891) was a British born, London based instrument maker and noted flautist. He spent his years as a maker working for the firm Rudall Rose & Carte, where he made two types of popular flutes, ‘1851 System’ and ‘1867 System.’ He was succeeded by his sons, Richard and Henry, who continued to make his flute models following Richard’s death. Rudall Carte & Co. Ltd were established as successors to Rudall Rose Carte & Co. in 1872. The latter had, themselves, been established in 1852 as successors to Rudall & Rose (q.v.) on Richard Carte becoming a partner. Carte’s son, Henry, became a partner in 1883. To him is attributed the application of ebonite in place of wood for the bassoon wing-joint in the 1880s. Henry W. Carte had become manager / prtner in Rudall Carte and Co in 1883. His brother, Richard d’Oyley Carte became famous as the theatrical impresario whose name is indelibly associated with the performance of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. The firm was eventually bought by Boosey and Hawkes during the Second World War.

Other Information

Specific usage history: Formerly played by the donor in the Reid Orchestra, Edinburgh.

Technical Description

This cylindrical silver flute was made by the firm Rudall Carte & Co (q.v.) in 1903. The serial number is “3582”. It has a raised embouchure barrel engraved at top and bottom. The instrument is stamped with a crown and “Rudall Carte & Co. / 23 Berners Street. / London. / 1867. Patent” all in script and followed by the serial number.
The instrument has slight dents in the head and foot and a slight upward bend at the lower joint, but plays well throughout it range. The overall size is 701mm and the sounding length (embouchure to foot) is 641mm.

Technical description: Silver; raised embouchure barrel engraved at edges; modern-style foot mechanism arrangement with plate for C♯, roller and plate for C, roller for B.
L0: B; B♭.
L1: C.
L2: A.
L3: G♯.
L4: G.
R1: PL - F♯; PL - F.
R2: E.
R3: D; F.
R4: D♯; low C♯; low C (touch plus roller); low B roller.

Keymount type: rod/pillar; needle springs, except L0 keys (leaf).
Keyhead type: shallow cylinder cup.

Performance characteristics: Range B³ - D⁷. Plays well throughout range.
Usable pitch: A⁴ c 440 Hz.

Provenance

Sold by makers 11th March 1904 to L. Alexander, Cape Town. ; Gift of George Gwilt, Esq., 1988.