HENRY POTTER & CO.
Henry Potter's "Guards" Model Flute
Founded by Richard Potter when he patented a movable tuning slide on the flute's foot joint in 1785. His son, William Henry Potter, born in 1760, became a partner in the business in 1801. In 1808, W.H. Potter took out British Patent No.3136 for sliding keys; this was a rather gimmicky idea to enable production of the glide effect, so much used by the great flautist, C. Nicholson.
W.H. Potter died in 1848; his son Henry took over the business in 1839 and published a tutor for Bb Flute. The firm produced enormous quantities of fine quality instruments, particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many of which survive. The company still exists today and is based in Aldershot, Hampshire.
Henry Potter & Co., made many marching flutes including the "Indian Service" Model (for oversea use in hot climates), "Guards" Model (supplied throughtout the Brigade of Guards and use in Home Service), "Army" Model (a powerful toned flute for Army use at a low price), "Cadet" Model and "Boys" Model
They also supplied marching drums:
"Drums" Model:- steel planished brass shell, with Regiment Title, Royal Arms, Badges and Honours emblazoned on a Regimental coloured background.
"Indian Service" Model:- special hard steel planished brass or aluminium shell with prepared and seasons Beech hoops and wire covered silk snares.
"Guards" Model:- Same as the "Drums" Model but with larger shell as used throughtout the "Brigade of Guards".
"Tropics" Model:- Same as the "Drums" Model but fitted with 8 steel rods and steel brushed nuts, Ash hoops. Specially recommended for use in extremly hot humid climates.
"O.T.C." Model:- Brass shell fitted with painted Ash hoops, Italian hemp rope. For use in O.T.C and Cadet Corps.
"H.P." Model:- Same as the "O.T.C." Model but with a larger shell. Recommended for Civilian Bands.
"Army" Model:- Steel planished brass, aluminium or Beech shell, painted complete with Regimental Titles, Royal Arms, Badges and Honours, fitted with the latest pattern snare strainer and spreader. 8 Steel rods with steel brushed nuts. For Military Band Use.
"Duplex" Model:- Steel planished brass drum with 6 brass brackets and duplex square thread steel rods for separate tension of each head with steel nuts. Suitable for Military Orchestra Use.
Henry Potter & Co., also published Marches, Waltzes and Selections for Flute Bands. Here is just a few of the marches that are still played in Flute Bands in Northern Ireland and Scotland:
No.130 "Le Tambour Major" by WH Turpin
No. 136 "Galanthia" by WH Turpin
No.137 "La Festive" by WH Turpin
No.149 "Dinah's Delight" by WH Turpin
No.168 "The Royal Union" by WH Turpin
No.196 "Danny from Bandon" by WH Turpin
No.210 "Haslemere" by GW Lea
No.264 "Oswald the Second" by WH Turpin
No.287 "For Flag and Empire" by WH Turpin