DCM 0312: Alfredo Casoli (See Notes.) Piccolo in C

DCM ledger: "...all holes covered. Old System of fingering, but keys very cleverly constructed in almost perfect imitation of Boehm System." Miller bought the instrument in 1923 from Prof. Glanco Meriggioli of Milan. An April 22, 1922 letter to Miller from Meriggioli lists a number of instruments available for sale including what may be DCM 312, i.e., "A piccolo in ebony, Albert system tube and wholes [sic], but Boehm System keys, with case." If this instrument became DCM 312, it arrived without the case. More accurately described, this may be considered an 8-keyed or 14-keyed piccolo, six of the fourteen being key plates covering the 6 principal rank fingerholes. Most of the keywork is mounted on ribs in two extended paralled rod systems looking not unlike a Boehm or other modern system piccolo mechanism. The 8 keys include the normal 6-keyed system with 2 upper trill keys for the 1st finger RH. Miller further remarks: "Casoli runs a 'Music Store', is not a real maker, made by Rampone & Reni, May 1923." However, Langwill lists flutist (Alfredo) Casoli as an active maker, ca. 1906-1926, formerly in partnership with Barlassina.
Instrument type: Piccolo in C
Medium: Rosewood, silver keys and ferrules.; 31.65 cm.
Key Holes System: 8 keys plus 6 covered keys for the principal rank. Post and rod on ribs. High D/E trill. See Notes.
Mark Maximum: (lyre) / A. CASOLI / MILANO (inside oval, with design) / AC (monogram) / 04058
Mark Additional: Mark on head and body (serial number on body only). Body monogram upside down.
Provenance: G. Meriggioli, Milan, 7 Feb. 1923.

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.