George Cloos GEO, "third flute", # 702, some questions

[Barney]

I visited a store today, looking to have my George Cloos flute appraised. After quite a search, we didn’t unveil too much and they recommended I try this forum. After some additional research, I did find the exact flute online: http://www.oldflutes.com/american.htm

If you go to the last flute on the page, you’ll see a G. Cloos NY circa 1890 Third Flute. Here is their description:

Shown above and below is a small "third-flute" by Cloos, so called because it has six-finger note f', a (minor) third above d'. It is unusual in having a full eleven keys and a "B-foot" (sounding d'). Most third-flutes are simple instruments with one, four, or six keys and with low note f', i.e. without an extended foot. The flute has a charming sound, with a bit of piccolo-color.

Although my flute is all black, it is exactly what you see in the picture (see my attached photos). Mine is stamped GEO Cloos and has what I believe is a serial # 702. The 70 are very clear and there's only one more digit that could be a 2 or a 3. It is stamped in two different sections. I read elsewhere that a serial # of 2270 would be 1900. So I'm thinking 1890 or earlier is a good estimate. Mine has a crack that the store believes can be repaired. They also believe that the flute can be restored to playing status, without too much effort. I am researching this flute in order value it for my father’s estate and any guidance or input you have would be greatly appreciated. Before we can donate/sell/or purchase items from the estate they mist be valued

Thanks for any assistance you can provide

[pied_piper]

Your flute is very similar to one I have except mine is pitched in the key of C whereas yours is in Eb and as you pointed out is a third higher, hence the name "third flute". These instruments are referred to as Meyer system flutes. http://www.oldflutes.com/articles/meyer.htm

I posted a photo of mine along with some of my other flutes some time ago. You can see it at this link:
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopi ... 4842#14842

Scroll about halfway down the page and you will see it.

Mine also had a crack in the headjoint which I repaired myself. (I'm a part-time repair tech). The crack was repaired by thoroughly cleaning the crack and filling it with a mix of grenadilla wood dust and a thin cyanoacrylate glue (often called super glue, but this is a special thinner version). After filling, the area is sanded to smooth it and blend it into the surrounding wood. If yours is cracked in the headjoint, it probably has a metal liner inside. Some techs might want to drill holes and "pin" the crack or install metal bands, but I would advise against it because the headjoint wood is rather thin and probably too thin for a successful pinning or banding repair. I think the wood dust and cyanoacrylate solution is far better in this case. If done properly, the repair is almost invisible.

I had to replace some pads to make mine playable. These flutes typically used white kid pads. If you want to keep the flute as original as possible, I would suggest asking that any defective pads be replaced with kid pads rather than the skin pads found on modern flutes.

As far as value is concerned, that is hard to estimate. They are not in high demand and mostly of interest to a collector. I've seen a few Meyer system flutes sell on eBay, but most seemed to sell for less than $100. Since yours was made by Cloos, it might be worth a bit more because of the name value, but in the end, an old flute is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. That's mainly why I kept mine. It's more of a novelty item to show to other flutists...

[Barney]

Thanks. I saw the Grenadilla flutes on the Sears ads from the 1900s. Selling for $4.25! I didn't see the Cloos, but saw flutes exactly like yours. Thanks for the info on repairing it, since if I keep it I'll at least have it repaired.