- Made in France in 1909
- Unplated maillechort
- 0.014″ tubing
- Soldered tone holes
- Closed hole
- Pointed keys
- Inline G
- C-foot with teardrop D#
- Embouchure: 10.6 mm x 12.4 mm
- Headjoint sounding length: 150 mm
- Sounding length: 599 mm
- Weight: 425 g
- Traditional scale
- A=440 Hz
The unusual feature of this flute is its metal – unplated maillechort, also known as nickel-brass or nickel-silver. Although this metal is very common for flutes of this era, Louis Lot, Rive, Bonneville, and other flute makers have used it. However, they typically plated it with silver. This flute is unplated, which makes it very unusual.
(The metal’s composition was tested. It contains 63% copper, 21% zinc, and 14% nickel. Additional metals make up the remaining percentages.)
Despite the engraving of New York on the barrel, the flute was made in France but for the American market. Henri Selmer made clarinets and flutes in France. His brother, Alexandre, played his brother’s clarinets in the Boston Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and New York Philharmonic. Demand for Henri’s clarinets in the U.S. started when Alexandre allowed colleagues to try out his instruments. In 1909, Alexandre opened a shop in New York to import Henri’s clarinets and flutes. In 1918, he returned to France to assist his brother and sold the distribution rights to his business partner and former student, George Bundy.
The flute features soldered tone holes, inline G, closed holes, and a teardrop D# key.
The sound of this flute is very large, bold, and brilliant, but with a touch of earthiness that gives the sound weight and density. It’s the type of sound that will carry itself through an orchestra and into the concert hall.
The pads are in excellent condition, and the flute plays beautifully in its current condition. The case is in fair condition. This is a great French flute at a very affordable price! It’s also one of the first flutes sold by the Selmer brothers!
Price: $1,825
Sold as is. Sales tax applies to purchases within California. For inquiries on purchasing, please contact Gary Lewis.
