\nJanuary 19, 2020: Broken links fixed. A few new pics added. A lot of new articles added. Changed Symple Accordions into Symple Toggles. Updated the Nextgen galleries to work properly and not reload the entire page when you click on a pic.<\/p>\n
March 18, 2017: More construction. Adding some new stuff and fixing links.<\/p>\n
March 13, 2016: Under construction. Mind the dust. I’m in the process of fixing links and adding more stuff.<\/p>\n
Added links to the new Library of Congress pages. Definitely check those out. The pics are 630x7057px. That’s larger than life-sized!<\/p>\n
Here’s a little departure from the saxophone world. Allow me to talk about flutes, for a bit. These horns are important to anyone who’s played a keyed woodwind in the past 200 years, so it’s a good read. They’re pretty to look at, too.<\/p>\n
First, I am not a flute player. I have difficulty even getting a sound out of one. My sister, on the other hand, was a pretty decent flute player. Additionally, as one of the administrators for the Woodwind Forum<\/a>, I’ve researched more than a few non-saxophone instruments. Also, something that appears “expected” of most saxophone players in a “big band” jazz setting is that they should be able to play flute and I’ve been in some big band ensembles. That means that I’ve at least been around some flute players for a large percentage of my playing career and\/or my Internet career.<\/p>\n The subject at hand is Claude Laurent and his crystal flutes.<\/p>\n As a starting point, you’ve got to know that the Claude Laurent flutes only bear a passing resemblance to the “knick-knack” crystal flutes of today (like the ones at hallflutes.com<\/a>, for instance). These are both historic and historical instruments that were made in the first 2\/3rds (or so) of the 19th century — and, if you want to buy one, expect a 5-digit price tag.<\/p>\n So, why should you care about Laurent and his flutes? Let’s start with this brilliant article from Dayton C. Miller<\/a> (“Flutes of Glass,” The Flutist<\/em> 6, no. 7 (July 1925): 151) that’s reproduced on the Library of Congress website.<\/p>\n On November 21, 1806, Claude Laurent was awarded French patent number 382:<\/p>\n “[A five year patent for a flute made of crystal glass]:<\/p>\n “CLAIMS: After searching for a long time for means for remedying the well-known variation in the various tones of flutes, due to variations in the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere and to the moisture in the player’s breath, and also desiring at the same time to give this instrument a tone of clearness and perfect purity, the inventor has discovered that cristal (glass) is a proper material, as it gives sounds of the sweetness and purity desired, and also renders the tones invariable, and makes the instrument convenient and easy to play.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Further, the Dayton C. Miller article goes on to say,<\/p>\n “[The patent] author explains that it is well known that flutes of wood and ivory are much affected by the alternate dry and moist conditions to which they are subjected; and as especially as there are long intervals where the flute may not be used. Glass, on the contrary, is not affected by humidity and always preserves the same dimensions, and combines with this a constant tone quality and an elastic capacity which renders the instrument more sonorous and easier to sound.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, the “crystal” used in the Laurent flute is really the French word “cristal.” While I do know that it’s also a brand of champagne, it refers to “clear white glass of superior quality” and not “rock crystal,” like quartz<\/a>. It’s also not exactly a new idea, as there have been crystal instruments around since at least the 16th century<\/a>. However, it’s still a nice idea. Hey, why not make a horn that’s not going to be affected by blowing into it and losing its intonation? However, that’s not the historic part. Let’s continue with the patent description from Dayton C. Miller:<\/p>\n “The patent explains that in overcoming this, at the same time the instrument was rendered more perfect as to its musical qualities. These improvements consist of silver tenons and sockets for joints …”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Again, a nice idea. Not necessarily a new idea, but an immensely functional one. Metal joints, called “caps,” are used on a lot of woodwinds, even today. Hey, my wife’s 1981 Selmer Signet 100 clarinet has them. They also allow you to have an instrument that you can take apart and reassemble without damaging it, which makes life easier for your repairman and more convenient for you, as you don’t have to lug around a really long case.<\/p>\n But wait. There’s more:<\/p>\n “… [and] mounting the keys in silver posts attached to metal plates which are screwed to the tube, the steel pins on which the keys turn are tempered and polished and permit a perfect fitting ….”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n That’s a completely earth-shattering idea.<\/strong><\/p>\n While it’s obvious to you and me that if you want to mount keywork you need, well, a mount. This wasn’t obvious in 1805. If you wanted to put a key on an instrument, you formed a little “bump” in whatever material you were using and affixed a key though that (see, well, all of the flutes under the heading “First Generation English 6-8 Key Flutes” at www.mcgee-flutes.com<\/a>). With this one sentence in a patent, all woodwinds became MUCH easier and less expensive to produce and allowed manufacturers to add on more keys. As a matter of fact, Boehm’s 1832 flutes and his fingering system would have been almost impossible to make. Just imagine one of these<\/a> with formed wood or ivory pivots. Take a look at this video (around the 1:20 mark)<\/a>, even if you don’t understand French. They do a side-by-side comparison of a Laurent flute (specifically, the one owned by Napoleon III) and a contemporary flute with the “formed” pivots. Same amount of keys, but the Laurent flute looks much, much more modern.<\/p>\n Another thing that’s overcome by using glass and the “steel pins” is that you do have a much tighter fit for the keywork. Let me use a quote<\/a>, because I’ve found a lot of good ones. I’m going to translate and transliterate from the Dutch:<\/p>\n “… [T]he invention had an additional benefit, namely an improvement in the setting of the keys above toneholes, making a system that had hardly any lateral play. This allowed the key to provide a much tighter and consistent seal on the tonehole.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So, you’ve got a flute that’s “impervious” to humidity problems, keywork that’s cheaper and easier to make — but allows for a tighter seal around a tonehole. And it’s pretty. Good combination.<\/p>\n I really don’t need to write anymore about Laurent, because other folks have already done more than enough research. Let me just give you some recommended reading, viewing and listening:<\/p>\n (EDIT March, 2017: The Library of Congress has a new “landing page” for the Claude Laurent flutes in the Dayton C. Miller collection.<\/a> It includes English translations of both Laurent’s 1806 patent and the 1834 patent. What hyped me more is a list of extant Laurent flutes. I’m going to see if I can fill in some of my gaps.)<\/p>\n I’ve downloaded and stitched together these pics from Institut national de la propri\u00e9t\u00e9 industrielle (INPI). because it’s dial-up-speed slow. <\/p>\n If you right-click the image and choose “View Image” in your browser, you’ll a huge pic. Recommended.<\/p>\n Claude Laurent 1806 patent, number 382<\/a>.<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholderClaude Laurent 1834 patent, number 5643.<\/a><\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholderJD Breton 1843 patent, number 24935,<\/a> This patent is from JD Breton, one of Laurent’s apprentices. He produced at least one glass flute.<\/a><\/p>\nngg_shortcode_2_placeholder<\/div><\/div>\n “Flutes of Glass”<\/a> by Dayton C. Miller. “U.Va.’s Rob Turner Plays James Madison’s Glass Flute.”<\/a> “Library of Congress Loans Rare Crystal Flute for Madison’s 250th<\/a>.” “The Mystery of James Madison’s Crystal Flute”<\/a> “Madison’s Crystal Flute.”<\/a> “The Flute Book”<\/a> “Metropolitan Museum of Art Project: From Crystal to Gold<\/a>.” From RedCedar.org<\/a> “Valpo flutist displays 200-year-old flute at Porter Co. Museum<\/a>.” From NWITimes.com.<\/a> “Phil Unger and the Flute Center of New York (Part 2).”<\/a> “Anatomy of the Flute.”<\/a> “Understanding Glass Flutes with Medical Imaging”<\/a> The LOC.GOV Wise Guide<\/a> August 2007.<\/p>\n MENDING A BROKEN LAURENT 8-KEY CRYSTAL FLUTE<\/a> A Study of Glass Composition and Crizzling in Two Claude Laurent Glass Flutes from the Library of Congress<\/a><\/p>\n Check out this Reddit post.<\/a> List of (Many) Extant Claude Laurent Flutes<\/a>, from the Library of Congress (PDF)<\/p>\n Les Flautes de Vidre del Museu de la Musica de Barcelona (1839 | 1844)<\/a> Une Fl\u00fbte en Cristal<\/a> Short article and some pics from www.rebeccaquigleyflute.com<\/a> regarding a trip to view the Dayton C. Miller collection.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n 1809 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute.<\/a> 1815 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute.<\/a> 1822 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute.<\/a> 1820 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute. E.245. 1820 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute in D. E96. 1820 clear (“white”) fluted crystal piccolo. E982. 1807 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM1051). 1809 clear (“white”) C flute (DCM0719). 1811 clear (“white”) C flute (DCM0850). 1811 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM1311). 1813 clear (“white”) “diamond-shaped facet[ed]” crystal C flute (DCM0378). 1814 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0475). 1815 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0717). 1815 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM1400). 1816 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0772). 1817 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM1404). 1817 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0450). 1817 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM1404). 1818 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0611). 1818 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM1373). 1826 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0382). 1826 clear (“white”) fluted crystal C flute (DCM0670). 1844 Uranium Green crystal C flute (DCM0011). 1862 Uranium Green crystal C flute (DCM1063). 1809 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (M264) 1809 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (E.96.2) 1809 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (N147209) 1809 cobalt blue foot joint for C flute. 1811 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute. (3999) 1815 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute in C (MI410)<\/span> 1815 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (2380)<\/span> 1819 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute in C (1259) 1833 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (M525) 1833 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (VE0351) 1835 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (RCM0066) 1839 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (MDMB 149) 1844 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (MDMB 145) 1807 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (PDF).<\/a> 1812 & 1813 cobalt blue fluted crystal flutes.<\/a> 1813 clear (“white”) fluted crystal Db flute ( 89.4.924<\/span>)<\/a> 1814 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute.<\/a> 1815 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute. (W.83-1921)<\/a> 1817 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (NMM 10103)<\/a> 1821 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute.<\/a> 1821 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute.<\/a> 1837 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute. (pic removed). 1837 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute (1994.241<\/span>)<\/a> 1837 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute. (1994.21)<\/a> Claude Laurent’s Crystal Flute<\/a>
\nPatent Drawings<\/h3>
Some further reading<\/h3>
\nFrom The Flautist, Vol. 6, No. 7. July 1925. Pages 151 to 155.
\nThe entire article is online and contains most of what you should know about Laurent flutes.<\/p>\n
\nNews release; June 11, 2000.
\nAs in, President<\/em> James Madison. Some interesting history and information about a CD that features a Laurent flute.<\/p>\n
\nOffice of Media Relations, James Madison University. March 9, 2001.
\nA bit of a parallel to the above article, but a different player (Carol Noe).
\nSee also this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nBy Wendi Mahoney, October 5, 2018
\nTwo pics are in the article.<\/p>\n
\nNPR, Morning Edition, March 16, 2001.
\nRealAudio clip of the radio program. Very much worth listening to.<\/p>\n
\nSpecifically, Chapter 4: “A Brief History of the Flute” (starts on page 42) is what you should take a look at. Laurent is mentioned on page 49.<\/p>\n
\nMusic performed on the MET’s 1813 and 1815 Laurent flutes.<\/p>\n
\nA short article and pics of an 1816 clear (“white”) fluted flute.
\nHere’s an earlier article and another pic.<\/a>
\nHey! She’s sent me a couple e-mails!<\/p>\n
\nFlute Focus.<\/em> July 1, 2009.
\n1837 clear (“white”) fluted crystal flute. 5 or 6 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nGood pics, but a little small. (ed. 2016: the pictures are now offline, but the article text is still available.)<\/p>\n
\nBy Erin Allen. Library of Congress Magazine, September-October 2014. Pages 4-5. PDF.<\/p>\n
\nBy Kristen Mitchell. February 7, 2019
\nCouple of very nice pictures in this article.<\/p>\n
\nFrom McKay Lodge Laboratory: The Conservation of Objects.<\/a>
\nThis is an 1821 clear (“white”), fluted C flute.
\nI was able to find some more pics on www.originalflutes.com.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nHey, I’ve been quoted on one of my favorite websites in one of my favorite subs (i.e. Artefact P0rn)<\/a>. I’m seriously happy about that! Definitely check out that sub. You’ll spend a couple hours there.<\/p>\n
\nFrom ResearchGate.net (sign-up required).<\/a>
\nBy Montserrat Gasc\u00f3n
\nAlso contains a few pictures, including some smaller, color images of the 1806 Laurent patent.<\/p>\n
\nLes flautes de vidre de Claude Laurent (1774-1849).<\/a>
\nThree volumes. “The second volume is a descriptive catalogue of the extant Laurent instruments.”
\nBy Montserrat Gasc\u00f3n.
\nAs an aside, this is Ms. Gasc\u00f3n’s doctoral thesis. It was published well after I created this page. I hope it helped in some small way!<\/p>\nPics and Info from AntiqueFlutes.com<\/h3>
\n5 keys. Brass bands and keywork.
\nOnly known Laurent flute with two headjoints.<\/p>\n
\n4 keys. Silver bands and keywork.<\/p>\n
\n8 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\n<\/div><\/div>\nPics and Info from Citedelamusique.fr (aka Philharmonie de Paris)<\/h3>
\nSilver rings, keys. Amethyst gems.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 8 keys. Amethyst gems.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 7 keys. Amethyst gems.<\/a>
\nAdditional joint with three keys.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 3 keys.<\/a>
\nMore stuff to check!<\/a>
\nEven more!<\/a>
\n<\/div><\/div>\nPics and Info from The Library of Congress: The Dayton C. Miller Flute Collection.<\/h3>
\n4 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Earliest known Laurent flute.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPossibly the only Laurent flute with only 3 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Crystal end cap.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n6 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Pretty red morocco case.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n6 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Emperor Francis I of Austria’s flute.
\nAdditional pic at the LoC (far right)<\/a>.
\nAdditional pic on Flickr.<\/a>
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n4 keys. Silver keywork and bands. President James Madison’s flute.
\nAdditional pic at the LoC (far left).<\/a>
\nPics and info on the old LoC website.<\/a>
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n4 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Additional middle joint.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n6 or 8 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Cracked.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n7 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n5 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n6 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n4 keys; D foot. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n6 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver keywork and bands. w\/ametheyst or garnet jeweled keywork.
\nVery interesting fluting.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n6 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSemi-Boehm System (5 rings, 6 keys). Silver keywork and bands.
\nAdditional pics at the LoC.<\/a>
\nEven more pics + article.<\/a>
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a>
\nSome nice, big pics on Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n10 keys. Silver keywork and bands. By JD Breton, Laurent’s apprentice.
\nPics and info on the new LoC website.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\nPics and Info from Musical Instruments Museum Online<\/h3>
\nGold rings, 5\/6 keys w\/additional middle joint.<\/a>
\nFrom Stockholm Music Museum<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings. Amethyst jewels.<\/a>
\nLouis Clapisson Collection.
\nFrom Cit\u00e9 de la Musique<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 4 keys w\/citrine jewel.<\/a>
\nFrom Stockholm Music Museum<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBrass rings, 4 keys.<\/a>
\nFrom Museum f\u00fcr Musikinstrumente der Universit\u00e4t Leipzig<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBrass rings, 4 keys.<\/a>
\nFrom Museum f\u00fcr Musikinstrumente der Universit\u00e4t Leipzig<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a>
\nOne more pic from Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 6 or 8 keys.<\/a><\/span>
\nFrom Germanisches Nationalmuseum<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings.<\/a><\/span>
\nFrom Carmentis<\/a>.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 8 keys.<\/a>
\nFrom Museum f\u00fcr Musikinstrumente der Universit\u00e4t Leipzig<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings, 8 keys.<\/a>
\nFrom Stockholm Music Museum<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSilver rings.<\/a>
\nFrom Carmentis<\/a><\/p>\n
\n5 keys, Silver rings.<\/a>
\nFrom the Royal College of Music, London<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys, silver rings.<\/a>
\nFrom Museu de la m\u00fasica de Barcelona<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys (probably), silver rings, amethyst jewels.<\/a>
\nFrom Museu de la m\u00fasica de Barcelona<\/a> via MIMO.<\/a>
\n<\/div><\/div>\nMisc. Pics from Around the Web<\/h3>
\n7 or 8 keys. Silver bands and keywork. HUGE pics.
\nFrom another angle.<\/a>
\nFrom the Rijks Museum.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n4 keys. Silver bands and keywork. Citrine jeweled.
\nFrom Vichy Ench\u00e8res<\/a><\/p>\n
\n1812 has 8 keys, 1813 has 4. Silver keywork and bands.
\nShort article, in French, accompanies these flutes.
\nFrom ARCHIVES MUSIQUE, FACTEURS, MARCHANDS, LUTHIERS.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBrass bands and keywork.
\nAdditional pic.<\/a>
\nAdditional pic and info.<\/a>
\nAdditional pics and info @ the AMICA Library.<\/a>
\nFrom The Metropolitan Museum of Art.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n5 or 6 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nFrom the Corning Museum of Glass Annual Report (2007). PDF. Page 9.<\/a>
\nTwo more pics on tumblr<\/a>
\nAnother at the Corning Museum of Glass<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys, I think. Silver keywork and bands.
\nFrom the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum<\/a><\/p>\n
\n4 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Citrine jewels.
\nFrom The University of South Dakota National Music Museum<\/a>
\nAdditional pic and article at Google Arts & Culture<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nFrom www.les-dominicains.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Kinda small pics.
\nFrom www.worthpoint.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\n8 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nFrom Christie’s Auctions. (Sale price was $15,000 in 2009.)<\/a><\/p>\n
\n5 keys. Silver keywork and bands. Mother-of-pearl headcap.
\nFrom Museum of Fine Arts Boston.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\nSome Videos<\/h3>
\n5 keys. Silver keywork and bands.
\nMontserrat Gasc\u00f3n performances.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n5 keys. Silver keywork and bands. From MFA Boston.
\nMore pictures.<\/a>
\nPeter H. Bloom performing “Andantino and Allegro from Air D’Acteon; Variations for Flute” by Jean Louis Tulou, 1837. 1080p.<\/p>\n
\nc. 1835 flute. Other details not listed. Audio only.
\n14 tracks.
\nPerformed by Cuauhtemoc Trejo<\/p>\n