DCM 0271: Anthony Walking Stick Flute in C

Both pommel and cap thread into their following sections. The upper threaded socket of main wooden body has a beaded brass ferrule and the cord holes are bushed with ivory, one being a replacement. Turned with oversized ferrules positioned every 4-5 cm., each one then hand carved to leave four raised, knot-like decorations (68 in all). See DCM 1231 and 1662.
Instrument type: Walking Stick Flute in C
Medium: Unidentified wood, stained. Wooden body once varnished dark, partially intact. Ivory cap over a possibly mahogany or cocus element (approx. 5 cm.); 95.5 cm.
Key Holes System: Originally 4 keys, ivory bushed holes. Two ventholes at foot which terminate in a taper of brass ferrule and round head iron tack.
Mark Maximum: ANTHONY / PHILAD
Mark Additional: Mark at top. Monogram on cap: INH (?)
Condition: All 4 keys are missing, the key mount on the instrument is simply a recessed slot, partially bushed with metal, apparently to receive an instantly removable key and mount. The instrument body, as is, has no mechanism to serve as a key mount. It could be that this was an intentional design for travelling purposes, the keys being added when desired. The B-flat, G#, and F key toneholes are plugged with cork, implying that the owner/player may have used only the E-flat key. Only 4 instruments have surfaced from the Anthony workshop, which is curious in that city directories list them as being in business for half a century. Upper socket has 4 cracks, all threaded elements are worn and the pommel tenon appears to have broken off for maybe half its original length. Its corresponding socket threads descend 24 mm.
Provenance: W. P. Harrell, Portsmouth, Virginia, 24 Aug. 1922.

The Dayton C. Miller collection in the Library of Congress, contains nearly 1,700 flutes and other wind instruments, statuary, iconography, books, music, trade catalogs, tutors, patents, and other materials mostly related to the flute. It includes both Western and non-Western examples of flutes from around the world, with at least 460 European and American instrument makers represented. Items in the collection date from the 16th to the 20th century.