Geoffrey Crabb

The records show; 8833 was made in 1908 by my grandfather, Henry Thomas Crabb. There is no indication of the original tuning (Keys). Whether the quiet reeds can be improved will depend on the cause. Whilst 'arms length' suggestions may be offered, the best option is to seek 'hands-on' investigation by an experienced repairer. Rushworth & Dreaper were among many dealers who were supplied with Crabb made Concertinas. Geoffrey.

Tommy Elliott plays Wheatstone miniature in the 1962 film 'The Password is Courage'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_IF9cy5VI Sightings at approx: 19-16, 22-55, 45-00 & 1-34-10. Geoffrey

Conventional as per Crabb, Wheatstone & Lachenal, Push - upper. Pull - lower. Geoffrey

It is highly likely that these instruments were made as a by-product of certain Paris harmonium makers and possibly commissioned by dealers in England. The same action, as in the Coleman example, can also be seen in some Ebblewhite labelled instruments of the same period. It is obvious that John Henry Ebblewhite (1826-1901) visited France for he married his second wife, Amy Louisa Price, in Paris in 1866. Considering that both concerns of Ebblewhite and Coleman operated within relatively close proximity, Aldgate & Mile End respectively, it could be supposed that some cooperation took place between the two in importing these instruments. I have attached, information gathered from various sources regarding: a. The Coleman family during the 1806 – 1927 period which expands on what has been said so far. Coleman Family 1806 - 1927.doc b. Those of the Ebblewhite family concerned with the musical instrument trade in the Aldgate area (1806 – 1966). Ebblewhite Aldgate 1806-1966.doc Although none of this pinpoints an actual maker, it may be of interest. Happy New Year to one and all. Geoffrey

10011, made 1946, originally for the South African market. Enjoy Geoffrey

18374 made September 1972. Originally supplied as one of four to Magnet Music Supply (PTY), Johannesberg, South Africa. Geoffrey

Like many, what may appear, simple queries, the answers can be quite complex so I offer the content of the following attachment. Whilst I have tried to approach the subject logically, my opinions or thoughts expressed in the attachment may not agree with those of others. However, I hope it may be found edifying , interesting or amusing . Geoffrey

Intrigued by the unusual and probably rare name, a quick look on Ancestry.co.uk revealed a few references to the name Olloms. Although none may be relevant or refer to the subject, they may be of interest. London Electorol Registers. 1919 & 1920 Olloms Francis 24, Flat 2, Molyneux Street, Westminster. (Paddington Ward). 1921 & 1924 Olloms Francis 44A, Flat 2 Harrowby Street, Westminster. (Paddington Ward). As it was not unusual for first names to be copied incorrectly by those compiling these registers, a check of the British Post Office Telephone Directories for 1923 & 1924 shows: (Paddington 5031) Olloms Francini 44A Harrowby Street, W1 British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards 1914-1918 Application for Badge?? 26.6.18 Olloms Francini. No. 257565. Labour Corp, 362nd Reg. E Coy. Enlistment 23.6.17 Discharge 12.7.17 (1.8.17)??? Address at time of application - Old Boars Head Hotel, Manchester. (Perhaps someone with full access to Military records could research this further. May also try Francine National Probate Calendar, England and Wales. OLLOMS, Frank otherwise Francini of 156 Huddersfield Road, Holmefirth, Yorkshire, died 6th April 1946. Probate London to Hilda Baxter (wife of Harold Baxter) Effects £2303 8s 4d. Death Index England & Wales. 2nd Quarter 1946. Olloms Frank. Aged 58. This suggests a birth date of 1888, so by 1907 he would have been about 19 years of age and by 1913, 25. These ages could tie up with the physical appearance of the Francini Olloms (& Page) 1907 picture and the signed 1913 photo respectively, linked in previous posts. As no information regarding Elsie (Olloms ??) marriage, death etc has be found so far, the following may or may not be connected. British Post Office Telephone Directories show: 1937,1938 & 1939 Mrs E Olloms - 32, Prospect Place, Douglas, Isle of Man. 1941 E Olloms - 36, Kensington Road, Blackpool, Lancs. Geoffrey

No intentional thread drift but also noticed on that site, interesting picture of concertina troupe: Barra Troupen, Circus Variete, 1906 Thanks for the link Geoffrey

The following attachment may be of interest. Geoffrey

Geoff In the ledger, Baritones and Basses are definitely indicated so this one is probably a Treble. Single action instruments were usually made for ensemble work so this may have been required as a 'second' Treble to support a lead Treble. While single action instruments could be initially cheaper (one set of reeds and possibly no reed pan) I suspect this possibly was not the case due to the inclusion of gilt fittings. I would have expected to see hand cut fretwork on this instrument instead of the machine (routed) version. Lot 655. Probably a Shakespeare, the fretwork is the same, complete with the inclusion of birds, as found on other Shakespeare labelled instruments. Although usually plain, on this one the ends are, rather nicely, engraved. Geoffrey

This may be of interest Tuning.doc However, what was used to accomplish tuning of tuning forks etc., I have never found a definitive answer. Geoffrey

To save searching, English Explanations.doc Geoffrey

Model 19, 56 Tenor-Treble with optional raised metal ends. Geoffrey

I would suggest that the letters O, M or R refer to the type of external labels fitted e.g. Oval, Metal or Ring. This suggestion is based on consideration of the previous practice of annotating the label type fully and at right angles, vertically in the last (number) column. Examples of this can been on page 123 – Metal Labels, p124 - Oval Labels and p125 - Ring Labels. However, on page 126 it will be seen that only some individual entries contain the label type fully e.g. 32887 Oval Labels, 32888 Ring Labels. If the above suggestion be correct, it seems that the practice of including the label type ceases after 33102 (page 135). Geoffrey

Actually, this is a repeat of an old Flog It programme, first shown on September 2009, nearly six years ago, when prices would, presumably, have been a bit lower then but still a bargain, nevertheless, considering I paid £3250 for mine three years ago and I thought I had done well at that price. Chris Algar currently has a nice metal-ended Aeola 56 key tenor-treble for sale dating from 1924. His asking price? £4399! Phew!! Chris And quite a bit of discussion then (2009), search 'Flog it' (Forums). Geoffrey

Bearing in mind the original question posed, "what was the highest price ever paid for a concertina?". I suppose, historically, from the records, Wheatstone No 18522 could be in the running, see below. Wheatstone Sales Ledger. C1053 1867 May 29th 18203 £63-0-0 Page 035 1867 Nov 25th 18301 £60-0-0 Page 039 1869 Aug 31st 18522 £70-0-0 Page 057 Wheatstone Production Ledger C1054 (Description ) 18203 48, Best Ebony. Gold fittings. Page 138. 18301 48, Ebony, Gold Fittings. Page 142. 18522 Baritone. Ebony. Gold Fittings. Page 150. All sold to Brisco? Possibly a Wastel Brisco (1793-1878), Magistrate and, later, Deputy Lieutenant (Sussex) of Bohemia House, Hastings & 15 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, London. (Estate Valued at death, £60.000). Or, his son*, also Wastel (1824-1891), a life bachelor and eventual Farmer residing in Reading, Berkshire. *Although, no indication of this relationship is directly obvious in the available Census records, it could be assumed so because, The Probate record for the latter indicates that administration of his estate was granted to Sarah Brisco of Bohemia, Hastings, Spinster and Sister. Sarah was the daughter of the former Wastel. (Census) The Christening details indicates his mothers name as Maria, the known name of the former Wastel's wife. (Census) His Birthplace, Catsfield, Sussex (Census) is, geographically, very close to Hastings. I leave it to others to calculate what those prices equate to today. Geoffrey

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJUrUIZm2rM Geoffrey

My great grand father John & grand father Henry, made and supplied instruments to: C Jeffries (sen) to about 1895, Ball Beavon to mid 1920's. Geoffey

Woodscrew heads are domed Daniel, so half-round in profile - steel endbolts have cheeseheads, so rectangular in profile with flat tops. Can be a little more complicated with the end bolts/screws historically used on concertinas. See attachment Geoffrey

Google 'wood screw dimensions' Geoffrey

No, that is designed for the removal of wood screw ends, broken flush with the wood surface. Geoffrey

Might be useful. Geoffrey

Bit late but this may be of interest. Geoffrey

10676 built 1951 Geoffrey