Flute, Imperial   Updated 3/25/2008

The above purple pitcher and six of the tumblers sold for $1,150 in 1995. The tumbler is a variantion referred to as #1. On the right are two additional variants of the tumbler, #2 and #3. Number 2 is a taller tumbler with six straight flutes (#1 also has six flutes), and #3 has nine flutes and a collar base. The #3 tumblers are quite rare. Northwood also made a pattern that collectors call Flute.
Water sets, 7 pieces

Purple, 1,150 (1995), 1,200, 1,850 (both 2001)

Water pitchers

Clambroth, 3 known

Marigold, 40 (2001), 75 (2004), 45 (2007)

Purple, 450 (2005), 400 (2007), 700 (2008)

Teal, 525 (2002)

Milk pitchers

Marigold, 35-45

Tumblers

Blue, #1, 340 (2006)

Marigold, 5 inches tall, #2, 305 (2000)

Marigold, #5, 30 (2006)

Purple, 50-75

Red, 275 (1992)

Tumblers, #3

Amethyst, 325 (1997)

Aqua, 325 (1997), 140 (2002)

Blue, 325 (1997)

Marigold, 20 (1998)

Purple, 185 (2001)

Imperial apparently also made a slightly different pattern in Flute punch sets known as #3939.
Punch sets, 8-10 pieces

Green, 225 (1997), 300, 350 (both 2006)

Marigold, 150-200

Purple, 1,900 (1997), 2,700 (2005), 3,000 (2006)

Punch bowl and base

Marigold, 155 (2003)

Purple, 3,100 (2007)

Punch cups

Green, 20-35

Marigold, 10-15

Purple (#3), 30-45

Celery vase

Purple, 950 (2000), 1,500 (2006)

Wine glass (3 known)

Marigold, 145 (1998)

Nappy

Purple, 75 (2003)

Console bowl

Smoke, 8 (2007)

The Imperial Flute toothpick holders are the most frequently seen shape in this pattern. On the right is a breakfast set, composed of an open sugar and small creamer.
Toothpick holders

Blue, 925 (2001), 1,050 (2003)

Green, 30-60

Helios, 30-50

Lavender, 70 (2001), 85 (2005), 95 (2007)

Lime green, 115 (2003), 115 (2007)

Marigold, 20-35

Purple, 40-70

Smoke, 40 (2000)

Vaseline, 625 (1998), 175 (2005) 		Breakfast sets

Clambroth, 50 (2004)

Purple, 90, 125 (both 2005),
   70, 130 (both 2006), 60 (2007)

Breakfast creamer or sugar

Amber, sugar, 5 (2007)

Marigold, creamer, 8 (2007)

Purple, 40-80

Berry sets, 7 piece (small bowls have handles)

Marigold, 50-90

Purple, 200 (2005), 350 (2007)

Imperial's Flute vase is another of those difficult to recognize patterns, principally because the distinguishing flute characteristic--the flat curved band at the base of each of the flutes--has often been so dissolved by the swinging that it is difficult to see. However, there is another characteristic that helps in identifying the pattern: The tops have eight scallops, one for each flute, with five saw-teeth on each of the scallops.

There were at least two different molds, both of them 2-part molds. One has a base diameter of 3 1/2 inches with the typical Imperial 24-point star, and the other is just under 2 3/4 inches with a rather hexagonal 24-point star. Heights range from 6 1/2 to 11 1/2 inches.

Marigold examples are worth perhaps $20 to $25; purple between $250 and $375.

In September 2004, Alice Widtfeldt sent me these photos of her Imperial Flute vase in blue. It's one of two or three known.