856

Hill-Late Monzani & Co.

Serial #3232.

London, England

Stamp: (crown)/HILL-LATE/MONZANI & Co./28 REGENT ST./PICCADILLY/LONDON/3232 /(space)PATENT on midjoint, (crown)MONZANI & Co. on all other joints

Marks:

Manufacture Date: Made c.1836 (Hallmark).

Hallmarks: Hallmarked 1836. British hallmarks include the date, via a letter code. In this case a new sequence has begun with the capital letter A, corresponding with the year 1836. Hallmarked with the grinning leopard (made in London between 1836 and 1855), the lion passant with forward gaze (sterling silver), William IV profile (duty paid), the date letter A (assayed in 1836 ), and the maker's mark H. H. (Henry Hill).

Comments: This is a very attractive flute. The wood, as is usual with Monzani instruments, is a fine dark cocus. The silver work is perhaps more lyrical than usual. The lipplate, which fully lines the inside of the blow hole, is one of the prettiest lipplates we have seen. This flute is a fine player, with all of the melodic brightness for which Monzani must surely have been famous. This was obviously a prize flute when it was built, in it's own modest sort of way (for an aristocrat). The tone has a regal richness which is very compelling, and transcends the usual Monzani intimacy. All in all, a very special flute.

Material: Cocus with silver keys and trim, inlaid silver lipplate.

System: 9-key, C foot. (extra Bb touch). Fully lined headjoint with tuning slide; foot and heart one piece.

Condition: Pinned crack through headjoint (embouchure safe) and barrel, hairline crack in midjoint socket, repaired shoulder on long F, unusual hairline crack down from E hole, small dent (dropped?) on bottom of foot; otherwise in very fine original condition, counting a bit of wear from use.

Pitch: Pitched to play from about A=440 to almost A =448.

Sounding Length: Sounding length 588(mm) compressed.

Measurements:

Weight: 428

Case: With Monzani case of leather, wood and suede.

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856.01

Henry Hill was the grandson of the founder of the Hill family of violin makers and dealers. Born in 1781, from 1808-1829 he partnered with Tebaldo Monzani. Monzani was one of the preeminent flutists of London, and Hill presumably made the flutes. After Monzani retired in 1829 Hill took charge, and this firm was formed. Hill died in 1839, just three years after this flute was built.

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856.02

Hill and Monzani quickly became flutemakers to the aristocratic fluteplayers. Their instruments achieved an elegance unsought by their peers. The firm eventually fashioned themselves as the Claude Laurent of London.

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856.03

This instrument is unique among Monzani flutes thanks to this lovely headjoint and silver lipplate, which fully lines the inside of the blowhole.

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Monzani's patent keys swiveled, here with a cork damper between the pad cup(!) and the shank button.

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On top we see the D# key, with the French style dimpled pad washer. The other key is the low C pad, with the original unique cork round "pad".

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The silver hallmarks from left are the profile of William IV, indicating that duty has been paid, the lion passant, indicating sterling silver, the capital letter A, being the date letter for 1836, and the bungled stamp HH, for the maker Henry Hill.

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Henry Hill brought an aesthetic to flutemaking unlike any other. He eschewed symmetry in his touches, providing a freedom in the artform that few others explored.

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856.08

Here we see the lovely rounded silver embouchure plate, unique to this flute in our experience. We have no words to describe this almost cartoon-like exuberance. The silver lined chimney is perfect, as new.