Important Flute in F by Firth, Hall & Pond, NY, 1833-47

Description

Important Flute in F by Firth Hall & Pond, NY
Museum Piece, Built 1833-47
Please read the entire description, and the AUCTION TERMS below, BEFORE bidding!
Greetings! I offer this very rare flute by Firth Hall & Pond of New York City. The firm was active under this name from 1833-1847. Examples of flutes by this firm and its predecessors and successors are in a number of important collections. This EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT is almost two centuries old, and I have not been able to find images or references to another identical example via an Internet search, although there may well be others out there in flute-collector-land. It's also possible that this instrument unique, but I wouldn't want to make that claim. It appears to be made of stained fruitwood or boxwood throughout, with eye-very mounts and 1 square brass or German silver key (hard to tell through the tarnish),
which has a turned-and-carved mount. All sections are marked, as follows: Headjoint: "FIRTH HALL & POND / N-YORK / F"; first body joint: "FIRTH HALL & POND / FRANKLIN SQ. / N-YORK"; 3rd body joint and foot: "FIRTH HALL & POND / N-YORK". The head cap and mounts are original and intact, except for a shrinkage crack in the foot end ring.
The
instrument plays F to f at about A=454 (High Pitch) and has a sounding length from the center of the embouchure to the end of the foot of 438mm/17-1/4"
. Overall length is 498.5mm/19-5/8".
CONDITION:
Cosmetically very good
overall, nominally playable, but it really should have an expert restoration to be completely historically correct and fully functional. There are no visible cracks in the instrument, just a surface check at the top end of the 2nd body joint, and an original flaw in the wood near the bottom of the first body joint. The headjoint can be removed, however the other joints rotate but don't want to come off, and I'm not going to risk damaging it; I'll leave it to the experts. The rings are original and are intact with only the one above-mentioned crack in the foot end ring. The key will need a new leather pad as the original pad is missing. The instrument is s
old AS-IS with no warranties. See pictures. WYSIWYG.
PLAYING QUALITIES:
It is basically p
layable, and I can produce the entire compass for two full octaves, but should be gone over by an expert restorer. HOWEVER, it is sold as a collectible or for restoration only.
NOTE that I make no representations made about its suitability for your intended use.
ACCESSORIES:
NONE: No case.
See pictures; WYSIWYG.
SHIPPING:
Insured shipping via USPS will be . Located in
Syracuse NY. BUYER IS WELCOME TO PICK UP THE ITEM AND PAY UPON PICKUP.
NOTE:
I will sell only to the final recipient/end user.
I WILL NOT
sell to 3rd-Party buyers/reshippers such as SEKAIMON or US-BUYER.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
3rd Party buyers/reshippers will have their bids cancelled and their user IDs blocked.
THE STRAIGHT DOPE:
Although it needs work to be fully playable and completely period-correct, this extremely rare and important flute by Firth Hall & Pond of NY is a museum piece that would make a superb addition to your collection
. All sales FINAL unless I determine that I significantly misrepresented it. I'll be happy to answer any questions about the instrument itself. Thanks for looking and good luck bidding!
TERMS:
Here are the
10
SIMPLE RULES
for this auction.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THEM BEFORE BIDDING:
1)
Your bid on this item indicates that you have read the description, and agree to the terms below.
NO OFF-EBAY SALES. If you want this item, bid per eBay's rules.
2)
DO NOT PAY until you have received an INVOICE FROM ME, via eBay's checkout system.
3)
PAYMENT BY EBAY'S PAYMENT SYSTEM ONLY, within 3 days of invoice, OR ON PICKUP BY PRE-ARRANGEMENT.
NON-PAYING BIDDERS WILL BE REPORTED.
4) No reserve, so bid to own it.
5) SOLD STRICTLY AS IS. It's a used item, not a new item. I have striven to represent it accurately. No refunds unless I determine it to be SIGNIFICANTLY MISREPRESENTED.
6)
SHIPPING:
INSURED SHIPPING VIA USPS WILL BE . U.S. BUYERS ONLY.
BUYER IS WELCOME TO PICK UP THE ITEM AND PAY UPON PICKUP.
7) SALES TAX: Buyer pays sales tax per eBay's policies.
8) FEEDBACK will be left for all transactions. If you are not satisfied with the item, PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK, and I will do my utmost to resolve the issue to your satisfaction. If you are satisfied with the item and transaction, please leave Positive feedback with all 5-star ratings.
9) I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL bids from suspicious or demonstrated non-paying bidders.
10) I reserve the right to end this listing early in the event the item is sold locally.
I do my utmost to honestly and accurately describe and picture my items. The pics tell the story. Message me with questions prior to auction close, I'll gladly answer. If you want to phone, message me for my number. All you nice honest folks out there, thanks for looking! Happy Bidding and Good Luck!
SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR MORE GREAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, VINTAGE MODEL KITS, BOOKS, AND STUFF!
saxhorn cornet trumpet keyed bugle corno waldhorn ventilhorn vienna horn Berlioz Symphonie fantastique Graves Wright trombone tuba bass horn Post horn serenade racetrack racing equestrian coaching