Flute, Imperial   Updated 3/20/2010

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, 1,200, 1,850 (both 2001), 825 (2010)

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)

Blue, unspecified style, 60 (2010)

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

Marigold, #5, 30 (2006)

Purple, 45-65

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)

Purple, crack in base, 1,550 (2008)

Punch cups

Green, 20-35

Marigold, 10-15

Purple (#3), 30-45

Celery vase

Blue, 1,500, 1,600 (both 2009)

Purple, 1,500 (2006), 325 (2009)

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), 750 (2009)

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), 65, 145 (both 2008), 100 (2010)

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, 350 (2007), 100 (2008), 110 (2009)

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 2009, a blue example sold for $1,600.

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