DCM 0942: Thomas Scott English Double Flageolet (C Flageolet)

This instrument is possibly an early version of the model in Scott's patent of 1806 (#2995). However, it is missing at least 2 elements therein described, one being double holes for chromatics, and the other being a patented tuning shade or awning which would have covered the fipple windway edge partially, slightly lowering the pitch. However, this instrument does have other elements cited in the patent, viz., 2 bores drilled through one piece of wood with the main or melody pipe located on top and consisting of 8 fingerholes (1/7 holes). The RH little finger also operated a key which in turn moves a thin metal rod vertically through the entire lower bore and caps off the block for the lower fipple to create a single flageolet, or, if played as a double, that key is not used and the lower pipe utilizes one right thumbhole, 2 RH thumb keys (G, A), and 2 LH little finger keys (F, B).
Instrument type: English Double Flageolet (C Flageolet)
Medium: Stained boxwood, ivory ferrules, mouthpiece, and finger studs, silver keys.; 43.1 cm.
Key Holes System: 1/7 holes. With keys (see Notes), square flaps, pin in block.
Mark Maximum: SCOTT / INVENTOR / HOLBORN / BARS / LONDON
Mark Additional: Mark near lip. Mark on head and above hole 1: SCOTT / INVENTOR
Condition: Main body warped, and has 4 cracks, one being cross-grain.
Provenance: W. Howard Head, London, 9 May 1930.

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.