Geoffrey Crabb

Gary, I have found two definite Crabb built Jeffries Duets in the records: No.9055, 50 button, built 1930. No.18298, 60 button, built 1969. I have no other information to hand at the moment on these. When I am more able, I will have a look to see if the plans for these (or any others) still exist. Geoff

AN Other =Tommy Williams Early 1950's

Notemaker, thank you for the kind words. However, the instrument was made jointly by my late father Henry Joseph (1911-1981) and late brother Henry Neville (1938-1989), I joined the firm in 1974 and worked on instrument ID No's 18455 onwards. Geoff. Roger, 17496 was made in June 1964. Geoff.

One of a batch of three (17561, 17562, 17563) made during April 1965. Actually 30 button. The wind button is not usually included in the button count on Anglos. Geoff

Hi Alan, I have sent you a personal message. Geoff

Thanks for bringing this information to public attention. I believe that the name (A G Pendrill) written in the instrument in question is that of Alfred Jnr. In other record entries inspected, he is recorded as Alfred George Pendrill. ( 1872-1966) It is true that he is recorded in the 1911 Census as ‘Tobacconist & Confectioner’ and his wife, Elinor, ‘Retailer’ both residing at 4. The Market, Meads Lane, Ilford. By 1939 (pre-war England and Wales Register), both are now living at 53. Meads Lane. Ilford, a retail shop with accommodation above and are now recorded as Alfred - ‘Concertina Tuner (Retired) and Elinor ‘Confectioner’. This address was and still is, a shop. Regarding Alfred Snr. (1851–1930), on all census records, birth / death indexes and National Probate Calendar he is recorded as ‘Alfred’ only. However, whilst his marriage certificate of (25th July 1875) is annotated Alfred George Pendrill, an amendment in the RH margin indicates that name should read Alfred Pendrill. It is possible that Alfred Sen. was employed ‘in house’ (possibly Lachenal’s) on concertina woodwork construction and Alfred Jnr, as was common, an outworker or ‘journeyman’ tuner. As the latter was usually casual or intermittent work, it would allow him the freedom to take on other tuning/re-tuning work of his choice. Therefore, I believe that the subject Jeffries instrument was only re-tuned by him at some time. Geoff

Don (and Bill), I have requested that this topic be moved to Concertina History forum. Geoff

Yes, apologies for not mentioning. It does appear that my investigations were correct.

Bill, I am having a look, be patient. Try this (links in final post) https://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?/topic/13534-nickolds-family-concertinas-information/&tab=comments#comment-130584 Geoff

Bill, please see the attachment. Not a lot but something. Samuel Chettle 1829.docx

Hi all, unfortunately I am in the Royal Brompton Hospital London awaiting heart surgery so am unable to access the number/date records. This situation will, if resolved, hopefully see me eventually back and active among the concertina community. Geoff Crabb

Please find attached layout of Crabb built 58 button (Jeffries) which may be of interest. Crabb layout 58 (Jeffries).doc Merry Christmas Geoff

Probably Lachenal but could be Wheatstone as that style of routed fretwork pattern and the coloured, lettered buttons can be found on English models of a both makers at various earlier times. An internal serial number, if present, may indicate the origin. The H Crabb & Son label indicates that the instrument would have been refurbished/supplied at some time after 1936 and would have been used where the original makers/dealers label was missing or beyond re-use (mutilated). The ever important wording on the Crabb label, 'Concertina Makers', does not imply the subject instrument as being made in the Crabb workshop. It is expected that instruments of Crabb manufacture will have a Crabb four (8*** on) or five (10*** on) digit ID number present internally and/or externally. Exceptions, however, may be found i.e. 1. No number. 2. Some 'odd' external number. 1. Early instruments supplied to C Jeffries pre-1895 only had numbers pencilled internally and these were often erased between collection and final delivery to a customer. After 1895 all Crabb numbers were impressed into the internal woodwork. 2. While some dealers/wholesalers would request there own name/numbers to be applied externally, a Crabb stamp & number would always be impressed internally. Geoff.

'Standard layout' in respect to Anglos of more that 20 buttons is perhaps a misnomer and I think it would be hard to find any of the old makers literature or receipts actually annotated as such. Because of the variation in note allocation by the same maker, that appear to be original, 'Typical' is, perhaps, more apt. Because of this, I can only offer the following 'layout' which I constructed from the original plans of a J Crabb instrument made in 1877 38 ANGLO CG sequence.doc As an aside, to avoid confusion the wind button and any novelty buttons should not be included in the button count on Concertinas, especially Anglos. Only Buttons that sound actual reeded notes should be included. Geoffrey

In fact the process is termed 'Coining' Geoffrey