DCM 0377: Edward Riley, senior Flute in C

An inexpensive grade flute, marked E. Riley, who was known as a musical instruments dealer. All 4 joints of this instrument have at least one knot. In addition to actual damage and repairs (see Condition) this flute has been curiously altered. The head joint above the embouchure o.d. (outer dimension) has been reduced about 1.6 mm. for a length of about 38.5 mm., perhaps for the installation of a metal ferrule, purpose unknown. There is no crack in that area requiring such a device. The head joint and both body joints each are decorated with 2 carved diamond patterns, the foot joint has one such decorative carving, and the entire lower end of the foot joint, approximately 2.5 cm. in length, is decorated in a similar small diamond pattern resembling that which would be left by a knurling tool. The square flat flap key presently on the instrument is likely a 2nd replacement key, and probably close to the size and design of the original key. At some point it (the original) was replaced with a larger (longer) key requiring the tonehole seat to be enlarged, and a second pin hole drilled about 5.5 mm. from the original. The key now present is somewhat too short at both ends but does make use of the original key pin hole. Head cap is likely a replacement and has been decorated with 8 radial grooves intersecting in the center.
Instrument type: Flute in C
Medium: Boxwood(?), brass key, pewter ferrules.; 61.45 cm.
Key Holes System: 1 key, flat flap, original shape uncertain, see Notes. Pin in block.
Mark Maximum: E. RILEY / 29 CHATHAM ST / N-YORK
Mark Additional: Mark on head. Mark on upper and lower body, foot: E. RILEY / N-YORK
Condition: Head joint and lower body joint sockets are cracked and were repaired at an early stage with pewter ferrules. All joints except the foot are slightly warped.
Provenance: Cecil Silvermaid, Cleveland, Ohio, 5 Nov. 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.