W D Cubitt and Sons

[sgrollitt]

William Duncan Cubitt sold musical instruments, especially clarinets, in London between 1875 and 1887. Between 1880-81 the company was known as 'W.D. Cubitt & Son'; and between 1882-86 as 'W.D. Cubitt Son & Co.'. The company was dissolved in 1887.

ADDRESS:
1880-83: 3 Great Marlborough St., London
1884-86: 56 Great Marlborough St., London

William Duncan Cubitt was born in 1824 in Bloomsbury, London. His parents were Thomas Cubitt (b.1782 in Thorpe, Norfolk) and Sarah Duncan. William first married when he was 28 to Ann Bowen in Brentford in 1849. She must have died and he married again in 1856 in Lambeth to Ann Margaret Leaver.

Does anyone know more about the company?

Thanks,
Simon

[Ailin]

I own a flute and piccolo made in 1882 by W.D. Cubitt, Son & Co.  I only play the flute, specializing in Irish traditional music, which is all flutes of this vintage are used for today.  I understand that the instruments Cubitt sold were made according to his own specifications.  His son's name is Robert (b. 1857). 

My flute is an extremely fine example of flutemaking.  Many instruments of this vintage were not pitched so accurately.  It is a well-balanced instrument and easy to hold.  It plays very well and was once the property of Jerry Donahue, who played guitar for a time with the traditional folk band Fairport Convention.

I am interested in anything else you learn about Cubitt.  Mostly, I'd like to know if he was the maker, or just contracted to have the work done.  His name and address are imprinted in the wood of the instrument on four of the five pieces that comprise the body.  Each stamp is different because of the limitations of where the stamp appears.  I believe that this is an expensive process.  I'm also led to believe that he had a good reputation, and given that he was only in business for 12 years, that's interesting.  It's also interesting that he was making this style of flute (eight keys and six open holes) this late in the century, since the Boehm flute (the modern orchestral flute) had been around since 1847, and was pretty much the standard by 1882.  Given that he was in his 50's when he opened his own shop, it would be interesting to know what he was doing in his early adulthood that allowed him to develop the knowledge of how to make the best instruments.  He was known for his clarinets, and I can vouch for his flutes (I've compared many of the same vintage, plus modern replicas which have become popular due to the growing popularity of Irish flute-playing).

That's what I have.  Hope it helps.  What is your interest?

[sgrollitt]

Thanks for the reply. My grandfather (1901-1978) played part time in a jazz band and owned three clarinets. All were made by W.D. Cubitt and Son Ltd. One of them looks older and not in good condition and this one also says R. Cubitt on it.

All these clarinets were originally his fathers, my great-grandfather. He lived between 1857 and 1923. He was a professional musician and bandmaster.

[Ailin]

All three clarinets should be about the same age.  It would be interesting to know why your great grandfather owned three.

From my perspective, since I have been playing Irish traditional music, the big name in flutes has been Rudall & Rose.  Cubitt is unknown, and yet his is the finest, or at least the equal, of any flute I have played.  So where did he come from?  I'm not sure what else you would like to know, but I am interested in anything you learn, so please pass it on.  If you have specific questions that I might find answers to on some music-oriented websites, let me know.

Great to hear from you.  I've been to England three times now, the most recent being last summer.  Great thanks for your information and correspondence.

Cheers.

[Ailin]

Hey, Simon, quick question:  Do you pronounce it CUB-it or CUBE-it?  I assume the former because of the two "T's" at the end, but I'd like to be sure.

Thanks.

[sgrollitt]

I don't know what the correct pronunciation is, but I would say cubitt - that is, not cube-itt.

Have a good Easter.
Simon

[sue63]

The correct pronounciation is Cube - itt !! William Duncan Cubitt was my husband's Great  Great Grandfather. I have researched the family tree back to 1427.
I am still digging up info. on W.D. AND R.D. Cubitt his son, ( my husband's Gt. Grandfather), who was on the stage in theatres as well as making instruments .
Good to hear everyone's comments on the instruments.

[sgrollitt]

Wow! It's amazing sometimes to see where threads go and how long they can remain active and interesting. I wonder if Ailin still looks at rootschat.

My grandfather's clarinets were stamped W.D. Cubitt, 3 Gr. Marlborough St. London

I think this means they were made between 1880 and 1883.

Thanks,
Simon

[Ailin]

Hello, Simon,

Yes, I still check in occasionally.  I was the one who got Sue involved - found her on Ancestry.com.  Struck paydirt there, as her husband is a direct descendant, although I had a lot more data than they had.  If you Google either "WD Cubitt, Son" or "William Duncan Cubitt" and you'll find more personal info than when we first corresponded.  Some burial information and an Old Bailey case wherein WDC apparently had his name forged.  Interesting stuff.  Lots more, also, about the music he published.  I also learned that, before he went into business for himself, he worked at Chappelle & Co., which is a major music publishing and piano manufacturing firm to this day.  The Chappelle family member (son of the founder) that he worked with also made flutes, which is probably how WDC got his chops on making woodwinds.  It also accounts for why he was in his 50's before he went into business for himself.

Cheers.