Really nice player with a resonant tone all the way down to low C. The keys work well, and the second and third octave are brilliant. Plays well at A=440 with the head joint extended about a quarter inch. Intonation is pretty good overall; some notes like A and B need to be lipped down a little when driven hard, but it plays very nicely native to 440.Eight silver keys with post mounts on a beautiful cocuswood body. The ring between the right-hand joints has been replaced by Matt Slauson in a matching style. The cocuswood crown was remade by Jon Cornia, who also dressed up the tone holes. There is a sealed crack on the underside of the right-hand section that is stable and in really nice condition. The rest of the flute appears to be original.Comes with what appears to be the original case. The case is in poor condition but still holds the flute, and may be of interest to someone willing to repair it.Firth, Pond & Co. operated in New York City during the mid-nineteenth century, primarily known as music publishers but also as dealers and manufacturers of musical instruments. The firm grew out of a partnership between John Firth and William Hall, later joined by Sylvanus Pond. Their flutes are encountered from time to time and reflect the English-style simple system construction that was standard in America during that period. Instruments bearing the Firth, Pond & Co. mark were likely produced in-house or contracted to skilled craftsmen working in the New York trade.
