An early 19th century set of Northumbrian pipes, stamped with the name of one of the leading makers of the traditional instrument, will be auctioned this week.
The stocks of the smallpipes are stamped ‘Reid’. Robert Reid -sometimes spelled Reed – was born in 1784, and made smallpipes in North Shields until his death in 1837, after which his son James continued the business.
The pipes, with an estimate of £400-£600, will be sold at Boldon Auction Galleries on Wednesday.
The retired Northumberland seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the pipes have been in his family’s possession for at least a century and he has played them for the last 40 years.
The pipes’ African hardwood chanter with seven brass keys is stamped “Burleigh”, being made by modern-day prolific Northumberland pipe maker David Burleigh.
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The design of the Northumbrian smallpipes is said to have been was developed and refined by Robert Reid, who is considered by many as the creator of the modern form of the Northumbrian smallpipes.
Robert is recorded as marrying Isabella Smith at Christ Church in North Shields on July 25 1802, and is buried in the church grounds.
His death notice in The Journal refers to him as a “piper, and as a maker of which instruments is known from the peer to the peasant, for the quality of their tone, and elegance of finish”.
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The sale will also feature rare historical items marking the rebellion of the Indian city state of Mooltan in the Punjab against the British in 1848.
Two framed embroideries ‘Storming the Enemy’s strongly intrenched position near Mooltan Septr 12th 1848’ and ‘Storming the Heights near Mooltan 27 Decr 1848’, in silk thread on felted wool, are valued at £80-£120.
The siege of Mooltan, which had been incorporated into the Sikh Empire, lasted from April 1848 to the city’s storming and surrender in January 1849.
The city had a population of 80,000 and as a centre of trade for a wide region, was renowned for its wealth.
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The siege began following the killing of two British officers.
Corporal John Ryder of the (European) Bombay Fusiliers wrote of the city following the siege: “Mountains of dead lay in every part of the town, and heaps of human ashes in every square, where the bodies had been burnt as they were killed. Some were only half-consumed.
“Many had been gnawed and pulled to pieces by dogs; and arms, legs, heads and other parts lay in every place. The town swarmed with millions of flies.”
The British gained vast quantities of loot as the city’s treasury was worth three million pounds, a huge sum for the time.
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