DCM 1051: Claude Laurent Flute in C

Unlike Laurent's system of a cemented glass disk for the head joint cork, this instrument has, as received by DCM, a threaded cork tuning device with silver cap possibly from a period English instrument. The original cap is obviously missing, based on the fine ferrule threads contained inside the original upper silver ferrule. DCM ledger: "Earliest known Laurent flute (his patent was issued in Sept. 1806)."
Instrument type: Flute in C
Medium: Clear glass, frosted inside, fluted exterior except at fingerholes and keywork. Silver keys, sockets, and ferrules.; 62.9 cm.
Key Holes System: 4 keys, flat round pads, post and rod attached to oval plates bolted to instrument body (3 of 4 keys). E-flat key has posts soldered to the silver socket. The key flap is a race-track shape and articulated having a secondary pivot at the key flap to assure that it will always align exactly parallel with the tonehole seat.
Mark Maximum: Laurent / à Paris. 1807. (cursive)
Mark Additional: Engraved on socket of head.
Condition: See Notes. Head joint and middle joint socket safety hooks are missing. Foot joint key is missing screw and half of spring.
Case: Plaque on case engraved: I.G.
Provenance: William Hayes, London, June/July 1931.

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.