Solid silver flute from the Verne Q. Powell workshop, “Handmade Custom”, serial number 2973 (1969), soldered tone-holes, in-line G, B foot.

Verne Powell sold his small flute workshop in 1961 to a quartet of long-time workers: Ed Almeida, Ed Machon, Richard Jerome and Elmer Waterhouse. From that time until the 1986 purchase by Harvard MBA-graduate Steven Wasser, the Powell company was dedicated to building flutes of the highest quality. In the pre-Wasser years, only two models were produced: the “Handmade” and the so-called “Commercial”, the former based on the classic French instruments of the previous century and the latter loosely patterned after the work of Theobald Boehm.

Handmade Custom” models (as they are called today) were considered “top of the line”, with soldered tone-holes, key arms extended over the pad-cups and without stack-key adjustment screws. The Commercials were built with flat pad-cups and wore adjustment screws. And the tone-holes were always extruded from the body tube.

Powell’s records confirm that #2973 was constructed as a “Powell traditional scale” model. With B foot, soldered tone-holes, .014 tube (body and head).

The original case is in good condition, some original scuff marks.

Sounding length is 635 mm (A : 440) and the embouchure i 10.3 X 12.1 mm. The flute weighs 415 grams.

The flute plays very well, is unique and quite different from a modern Powell. Number 2973 is a true work of art, the best of the best.

Please note that this instrument is sold with an original late sixties Powell head section, with 14K solid gold embouchure and riser.

There’s not a great deal of provenance on this superb flute: the only clue to previous owners is a sticker that was attached to the case. It’s almost illegible, “Pastor Richard Schnarrus ( ? ) Sarnyville ( ? ) Baptist Church , Wrexham, MA”. We’ve not been able to find further information on the fellow, do note that he took care of the instrument and there’s no damage, dings or dents anywhere. The flute has a very friendly “feel” to it and we recommend it highly.

New “suggested retail” price is now just a few dollars below $18,500.

This superb example : $7350