tin whistle

c. 1850
Subcollections
Overview

musical instrument made from tin and wood and painted blue.

Historical information

Robert Clarke came up with the idea of creating a whistle made from tinplate in 1843. He went into business and found a ready market in England for his innovative musical instrument.

This Clarke tinwhistle belonged to John Knapp (1827-1888). It has been suggested he brought it out on the Minden when transported as a convict in 1851.

The tinwhistle remained in the Knapp family until being donated to this museum in 2018 by Marie Zinetti, great grand-daughter of John. Marie also donated three more modern tinwhistles also used by the Knapp family.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-72-GMOB0563
Material
Width
16 mm
Height or length
320 mm
Depth
16 mm
Contextual Information

This tinwhistle is the oldest musical instrument in this museum's collection. It is an excellent example of a small cheap portable musical instrument that could be played anywhere.

Keywords
Place made
England
Australia
Year
c. 1850
Statement of significance

The object 'tin whistle' (GMOB0563) has high aesthetic significance, given its (form, colour, texture) and has some rarity value. The item has low scientific significance, although being representative of the class MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS/Wind in fair condition. The item has high historic significance for the local community and possibly for the State and has high interpretive potential. This item has very high social significance given it was used by JOHN KNAPP(1850,1888),

Primary significance criteria
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
Greenough Museum and Gardens

Greenough Museum and Gardens

Organisation Details
View Collection
Item Feedback

John Knapp's tin whistle

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->