825

Stamp: Uniquely engraved in script on the headjoint: A. G. Badger / New York.

Marks:

Manufacture Date: A tough date to pin down. This lovely flute could have been made from 1860-1880, I suppose.

Hallmarks:

Comments: This historical flute is one of very few remaining Badgers built with a lipplate. The unique signature suggests that this instrument might be an early one, which would mean the early 1860's, yet the side G# and Bb trill suggest manufacture closer to the 1870's. The lipplate is a unique design, with long, loping skirts. The view from inside the bore is very clean, and looks completely original. This flute is one of the warmest-toned flutes ever. Badger finally hit the spot with this flute, even while most of his instruments are not such compelling players. I cannot vouch for the scale, which suggests the flute might have been made for a traditional Orientalist, but the tone absolutely rocks.

Material: Silver, with silver lipplate.

System: Full cylindrical Boehm, with closed G#, silver lipplate, B foot, Bb trill. No adjustment screw on footjoint keys.

Condition: There are some peculiarities about this flute, resulting from a long and productive life. Some curious bumps abound, especially in the barrel and on the lipplate. The crown is probably a replacement.

Pitch: Pitched around A=440. This is definitely not a high pitch flute. The body scale is that of A=440, yet the headjoint is cut for A=440 at the highest. This is the lowest pitched Badger we have seen.

Sounding Length: Sounding length 640 mm.

Measurements:

Weight: 403

Case: In old Haynes case.