The Story of the Flute by H Macaulay Fitzgibbon 1914 Walter Scott Publishing H rix. Very good vintage condition
Here is a professional marketplace listing description for this highly specialized and scarce music history book, followed by your character-limited search tags and an estimated market valuation.
Item Description
Title: The Story of the Flute
Author: H. Macaulay Fitzgibbon
Publisher: The Walter Scott Publishing Co., Ltd., London / Charles Scribner's Sons, New York
Series: The Music Story Series
Date/Edition: 1914 First Edition
Format: Thick Octavo (8vo) Hardcover (Classic uniform sage green or blue cloth with ornate gilt/blind-stamped musical motifs on the spine and cover)
Detailed Description
This is a rare and highly sought-after 1914 first edition of The Story of the Flute by the noted musicologist and historian H. Macaulay Fitzgibbon. Published as a standout volume in the prestigious "Music Story Series" by the Walter Scott Publishing Company, this comprehensive work remains a foundational cornerstone reference text for classical musicians and woodwind historians alike.
Fitzgibbon meticulously charts the entire evolutionary lineage of the flute—sweeping from prehistoric bone instruments and ancient Egyptian pipes through the baroque era, culminating in the radical mechanical advancements of the Boehm system. The book is exceptionally valued for its dense technical reference material, featuring unique appendices on famous flute players, early flute music composers, and a historical guide to the flute in the orchestra. It is richly illustrated throughout with full-page plates, structural woodcuts, and musical scores, making it an extraordinary treasure for classical flutists, music professors, and antiquarian book collectors.
Condition Report
Overall Condition: Very Good vintage condition.
Binding & Structure: The binding is straight, square, and structurally tight. The heavy text block remains firmly anchored to the backstrip, and the original inner hinges are secure and completely un-cracked.
Exterior: The publisher's original cloth binding displays beautifully on a shelf. Gilt lettering and ornate musical spine stamps are bright and unrubbed. Only minor shelf rubbing to the corners and light softening at the spine tips consistent with careful storage over the last century.
Interior: The pages are clean, flat, and entirely complete. Free from heavy foxing, water stains, highlighting, or ink owner signatures. The paper stock exhibits a clean, light natural toning, keeping the intricate diagrams and sheet music selections incredibly crisp and legible.