H. Starke Great Highland Bagpipes

A full working set of blackwood Highland bagpipes by Henry Starcke of London, believed to date from around 1953. The drones and bottom of the chanter feature imitation ivory projecting mounts and ferrules, with chrome-plated rings throughout. Reported to have a great sound.

The set includes two chanters: the original blackwood pipe chanter and a second plastic (likely Delrin) pipe chanter. Also included are three practice chanters, one by Henry Starcke in blackwood and two in rosewood by other makers, one of which is plastic. A generous supply of spare reeds accompanies the set: nine plastic practice chanter reeds, nine cane pipe chanter reeds, two bass drone cane reeds, three tenor drone cane reeds, and two small containers of bag dressing/seasoning.

Henry Starcke operated as a woodwind instrument maker and dealer in London during the mid-twentieth century. His workshop produced and sold a range of woodwind instruments, including Highland bagpipes. Starcke pipes from this era are not commonly encountered on the secondhand market, and detailed biographical information about the maker is limited. Players familiar with mid-century London-made pipes will recognize this as a period set with honest working credentials.