DCM 1288b: Elver Joseph Fitchhorn Saxette (Vertical Whistle Flute)

In letter from Fitchhorn to DCM, 26 March 1937, he states: "You will note that this mouthpiece has resonance chamber of fixed capacity located under to [sic] air inlet which not only gives it more of the true flute quality, but permits the octaves to over blow in tune. It has take[n] not a little time and experimental work to get the right capacity and by test you will note that the 'D' (all six holes closed) will octave in very good tune and the same is true with all other tones up to 'B' which only comes in true with the first and last hole closed. I am still keeping the tempered 'G' scale with 'C' natural played by closing the second hole with the second finger. I am told that Saxette is the first end blown flute tuned to play the G scale; all other[s] tuned for the 'D' scale."
Instrument type: Saxette (Vertical Whistle Flute)
Medium: Nickel-plated brass, bakelite mouthpiece.; 37.8 cm.
Key Holes System: 0/6 holes. Holes outline a scale as starting with all 6 fingerholes closed.
Mark Maximum: SAXETTE / PAT. / APL'D. FOR
Mark Additional: Mark on foot. Lyre marked with monogram.
Provenance: E. J. Fitchhorn, of "Saxette Company," Delaware, Ohio, 26 March 1937.

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.