S860
Powell, V. Q.
#: Serial #3161

Stamp: Engraved on all three joints: (in triangle) VQP / VERNE Q. POWELL / BOSTON. Additionally on barrel: 3161

Comments: An absolutely beautiful flute.

Date: Made Sept. 3, 1969 by Bickford Brannen at Powell's (Powell Bible).

Material: Silver, B foot, with gold lipplate. Tubes appear to be .016". Gold springs.

System: This is listed in Powell's record book as hand made, French model, low B, gold embouchure.In fact, it is Powell's copy of a Louis Lot flute from one of Lot's successors, possibly as late as Chambille. No gizmo, but low B is independent.

Condition: This flute is in absolutely perfect condition, with little sign of use and no sign of abuse.

Pitch: This flute appears to be made to play at A=440 with the headjoint out just a tad.

Sounding length: Sounding length 636 mm.

Measurements: Emb 12.12 x 10.32. Body scale 226 mm. Chimney 5.26 and 5.05. Tube .016".

Weight gram: 424 g.

Case: In a beautiful handmade wooden case with inlay, made by the original owner, Harold Jeter.

Restoration status: COA performed by Paul Rabinov.

Price: Sorry, sold.

The keys are curiously flat due to high outside edges; perhaps this was an attempt at stabilizing the pads? Apart from their shape, this mechanism is almost completely taken from, I believe, a Chambille Lot.

The original owner, Harold Jeter, was especially well known for making beautiful wooden cases. His list of customers includes Rampal, Baker, and a host of other flute luminaries.

Again, Powell has copied a later Louis Lot. The Lot company started making thumb keys like this after players asked for the Bb trill, rather than trilling the thumb key, as originally designed.

The profile of the lipplate shown how closely it follows the contours of the body.

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Flute 3161 was made at Powell's for Harold Jeter by Bickford Brannen in 1969. The flute is almost as new.

This Powell lipplate is very beautiful, and cut quite like the Louis Lot lips. At 10.3 x 12.08 this is only slightly larger than Lot. The crown, on the other hand, is completely new (especially on the inside), and simply not as gorgeous as the Louis Lot crown!

This flute is very precisely made and finely finished. The lines are all crisp and new, and care has been taken in the construction of the parts.

The backclutch is designed with slight differences from Lot, including the straight sides. Makers have always had a chance for a bit of play with the shape of this clutch.

The top of the Harold Jeter case, with inlay.