Flute in C
Catalogue number: 2.8
Original name: Flute in C.
Type or system: Eight keys “Simple System”.
Maker: Card & Co.
Place of origin: London, c.1861-1876.
Workshop established by William Card (b 1788; d 1861); 1851 described as ‘designer and manufacturer of flutes’ and ‘professor of flute’. He developed a flute model based on Boehm’s 1832 system. In 1861 his son Edward John (b 1817; d 1877) became successor, now as ‘Card & Co.’
Overall size: 680mm.
Technical description: Five sections of blackwood or grenadilla. Head joint: 177mm (217mm with metal tuning slide); barrel: 66mm (87mm with metal tuning slide); upper joint: 218mm; lower joint: 134mm; foot joint: 152mm).
Eight silver modern-style keys mounted by posts and axles without plates; overlapping C/C sharp touches. Springs attached by rivets to the key. Circular embouchure hole. Telescopic metal tuning slide, adjustable tuning stopper.
Key work and finger holes |
Finger hole diameter (av.) |
Left hand thumb: |
B flat key |
Left hand, first finger: |
T; 6.4mm |
Left hand, second finger: |
T; 8.0mm |
Left hand, third finger: |
T; 6.0mm |
Left hand, third finger: |
G sharp key; Long F key |
Right hand, first finger: |
T; C key; 8.1mm |
Right hand, second finger: |
T; 8.8mm |
Right hand, third finger: |
T; cross F key, C sharp, low C; 5.8mm |
Right hand, fourth finger: |
D sharp / E flat key |
Inscription: Stamped on Head joint: “CARD & CO / LONDON”; Stamped on Upper joint: “588 / CARD & CO / QUADRT / REGENT ST / LONDON”; Stamped on Foot joint: “CARD & CO / LONDON”.
Faults: Head joint and barrel cracked. Barrel may not be original. Long F key missing (hole plugged with resin). Crack across embouchure.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 446 Hz.
Illustration references: See below