musical instrument / Michael Mallin, 1916

Michael Mallin's concert flute. With a silver plate attached, bearing the inscription 'By Capt. G. Hewson. Presented to Band 18th R.I. Rifles, taken at Liberty Hall, Dublin. Rebellion, 1916'. This flute formed part of the contents of a house which were purchased by Mr Rupert Coffey in about 1939. Coffey noticed inscription and drew seller's attention to it; latter wished it to remain with contents purchased. Coffey eventually showed the flute to some old Irish Citizen Army men, including Mr Frank Robbins, and it was identified by them as the flute played by Michael Mallin at concerts in Liberty Hall, particularly at those in the week or so before the Rising, 1916, and left there by him when Citizen Army force marched out at the commencement of the Rising. Ebony, silver mounted. 19.25" long inscribed "Rudall, Carte & Co., Ltd., 23, Berners Street, Oxford St., London, 5501." and Hallmarks on plate - Birmingham, 1909-10, made by A S & Co. - evidently an old stock plate used.;