Since closing the order book the flutes I have for sale fall into two categories.

Firstly, flutes of my own manufacture. These are almost entirely flutes that have come back to me from their original owners, who are no longer playing them for a variety of reasons, and want me to pass them on.

Secondly, old, vintage, antique, whatever term you prefer, flutes from my COLLECTION.

Every collector ends up with instruments extraneous to their main area of interest for various reasons, the main among which would be the habit auction houses have of offering several flutes of what they deem to be lesser value along with the “target” instrument in a lot. Thus they sell flutes which would likely not attract any bids on their own.

The advantage to the collector is twofold. Auction houses quite often are mistaken in their valuation/assessment of flutes, and it’s possible, sometimes, to pick up something important as a “sub lot” as it were.

There’s the famous recent case where a flute by one of the most famous early makers, Peter Bressan (late 17th/early 18th centuries) was mistaken for a modern copy, and the lot sold for less than £200, a good price for the two other instruments that were in the lot, but a lot, a lot less, than the many tens of thousands it was actually worth.

Of course that really is exceptional, but it’s often possible to recoup the cost of the flute that you’re really after, by selling on the others in the lot. It has to be said that this is much more feasible for a collector who is able to do their own repairs and restorations. Having to pay someone to make an instrument even basically saleable, can often cost more than its value.

So here’s a few of the flutes that are for sale and have sold…

By the time the old website collapsed…

The following flutes are currently available

Cast Embouchure Keyless Flute in D
There’s another of the cast embouchure flutes currently available on eBay, sale ending next Sunday at 8 pm. Look for:
item #324543812072

Please also check out the demonstration video of this flute on YouTube
SOLD €1530

Keyless Flute now on eBay
The flute below that I was offering via @hamiltonflutes is now available on eBay item # 324385573669

Sale ending 11 pm Sunday 28th
SOLD €1161

Keyless flute available
I’m selling a “used” keyless flute, which has a few new/different features. This is the body of a flute that I upgraded with a keyed body, and it’s matched with a completely new head.
In this case, unusually for me, it’s a fully lined head, and it has a new feature in it’s cast embouchure, which allows for great precision in the embouchure cut. You can read all about that on my recent blog post.

I’m experimenting with a new method of selling in the absence of a waiting list, so this flute is only available via my Instagram account @hamiltonflutes where you can also see images.
I think this gives everybody an equal chance of buying, so the best offer made on @hamiltonflutes before 11pm (Irish time) on Sunday 15th ( Sunday next) gets the flute.

The Great Workshop Clear Out #4
This is a real cracker of an English 19thC 8-keyed flute. It’s stamped Pearson 36 Bishopsgate Within London #980.
One of the best I’ve played, and plays very easily at 440 even for a sharp blower like me. Lots more info, video clips etc. on my Instagram @hamiltonflutes and on eBay where it’s currently for sale item #324302054057 ending Sunday 27th at 8 pm.
GWCO #4 SOLD €2020

The Great Workshop Clear Out #2
Something a bit more in the trad direction this time, a very nice little Bb band flute by Miller Browne. 6 keys.
These flutes are widely used in fife and drum bands throughout Ireland. This one is a good step above the standard one-key Miller Browne that you commonly see.
It’s up on eBay currently, look for item # 324252730645.
GWCO #2 NO LONGER AVAILABLE/SOLD

The Great Workshop Clear Out #1
Not really a flute for trad…unless you’re a Boehm player already,
but check out this anon cocus wood and nickel silver Boehm system flute that I’ve currently for sale on eBay.
Look for item 324250350753
GWCO #1 NO LONGER AVAILABLE/SOLD

At this date – winter 2024 – there are no flutes immediately available.

But that will change…