DCM 1080: E. G. Williams Flute in C

Instrument type: Flute in C
Medium: Ebony(?), horn and ivory cap, silver keys, ivory ferrules.; 60.7 cm.
Key Holes System: 4 keys, saltspoon, pin in block.
Mark Maximum: E G · WILLIAMS / PATENT (in scroll) / LONDON
Mark Additional: Mark on head (without scroll), upper, lower, and foot.
Condition: Head joint cracked including lower ferrule which has been secured in its mortice with 2 brass pins. The head joint shows evidence of once having wire binding in several locations, possibly a crack repair attempt. It also has 10 pin or nail holes in random locations, apparently not piercing the bore, purpose unknown. The cap present with the instrument is of animal horn with a hardwood core or center also visible as a decorative element. The original cap was likely of the same wood as the instrument. Lower body cracks at socket, one extending all the way to the F tonehole. The F key block was broken off on one side, but repaired, date unknown. Foot joint, 3 cracks in socket, 2 of them full length. The foot joint and lower body ferrules are replacements, possibly by DCM.
Provenance: William Hayes, London, 26 Sept. 1931.

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.