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The Rudall & Rose Flute Catalog represents an ongoing effort to locate, document, and preserve the legacy of what many consider one of the finest flutemaking lineages in history. This research project aims to create a comprehensive database of all surviving flutes made by Rudall & Rose and their associated makers and firms before they shifted their focus to the newer Boehm, Carte, and Radcliff key systems that would eventually eclipse the beautiful simple-system instruments that had made them legendary.
Without comprehensive original records, no complete accounting exists of how many Rudall & Rose flutes were originally produced, with estimates suggesting more than 7,200 simple-system instruments were created before the company's focus shifted entirely to newer key systems.This catalog seeks to fill that historical void by building a modern record of these extraordinary instruments, wherever they may be found today.
This catalog's focus centers on wooden flutes featuring six fingerholes drilled directly into the wood, typically 8-key flutes, though we also document instruments with additional or fewer keys. This includes flutes extending down to B♭ or A♭, those with double key touches, and instruments with keys added for upper register notes. We do not include flutes built with "systems" such as Boehm, Carte, Radcliff, or Clinton designs, which represented radical departures from the simple system design.
Authentication is essential: only flutes bearing both the maker's mark and serial number are accepted into the main catalog. The makers' stamps we seek include:
Flutes of questionable authenticity, as well as individual instruments bearing the names of George Rudall, John Mitchell Rose, and their shop stewards, are also documented in the catalog with appropriate authentication notes.
This project grows from a deep appreciation for both the instruments themselves and the remarkable craftsmen who created them. Many questions about George Rudall and John Mitchell Rose remain unanswered, and their approach to flutemaking continues to fascinate researchers, musicians, and collectors alike. Beyond satisfying curiosity about production numbers and survival rates, the catalog serves multiple important functions:
Historical preservation: We maintain detailed records of each instrument's provenance and characteristics, creating an invaluable resource for researchers and contemporary flutemakers studying historical construction techniques.
Protection and security: By documenting these instruments, we help establish clear ownership records and provide crucial identification information should any flute be lost, stolen, or damaged.
Research facilitation: The database enables scholars, musicians, and flute makers to locate specific instruments or examples from particular periods in the company's history.
While the precise measurements and construction details of each flute are of great interest to contemporary flutemakers, this catalog's public database focuses on information valuable from historical and collectible perspectives. The database records essential identifying information and provenance data while respecting owners' privacy preferences.
Photography and attribution: The catalog includes photographs when available, with existing documentation remaining part of the historical record. We aim to provide proper photo attribution when possible. If you recognize one of your photographs in the catalog, please contact us with the specific flute entry link, identify which images are yours, and indicate your preferred attribution.
The success of this catalog depends on community involvement from collectors, musicians, historians, museums, auction houses, dealers, and anyone who encounters these remarkable instruments. Whether you own a Rudall & Rose flute, know someone who does, or have spotted one in a collection or sale, your contribution helps preserve this important musical heritage.
We're particularly interested in hearing from you if you:
Registration in this catalog provides excellent documentation of your instrument's provenance and contributes to the broader understanding of this crucial period in flute development.
This catalog stands on the shoulders of the remarkable work of David Migoya. An investigative reporter with nearly four decades of experience and internationally recognized flute authority, David combined journalistic rigor with musical passion. As an All-Ireland finalist who has performed with notable artists including the Chieftains, he brought unparalleled expertise to documenting and preserving the history of Rudall & Rose flutes. David began this catalog in the 1990s after acquiring his first Rudall flute, and his careful research and curation were a gift to the worldwide flute community. Building on David's foundation, this catalog was relaunched in 2025 with modern database capabilities, and we are honored to carry his foundational work forward so that it may continue to inform, inspire, and grow.
We also acknowledge the contributions of the late Thomas Johnson, who maintained a reference for the flute community over many years and whose efforts helped keep interest in these instruments alive.
