trace

May I suggest you spend a little of what you get for the Jeffries on a starter concertina such as a Rochelle or Jackie. Then you'd have an excuse to stay ... Chris Unfortunately the funds will not be mine to spend unless I can persuade my father I am owed some commission!

I will take a look, thankyou.

Maybe so, but half the value of a Jeffries anglo is still rather more than the price of a pint down the pub . Do let us know how it all turns out. Cheers, Chris Have had a great conversation with Andrew Norman and he has recommended placing on ebay and not worrying about investigating further, but I am sending him some photos as he is intrigued by the story and wants to follow the progress too. So thats it, going to place on ebay on Saturday 23rd June and see what the outcome is! I will let you know the outcome. Thank you everyone for all your help, it has been great talking to you all (am beginning to feel a little sad that I will not have an excuse to chat from next week!) Kind Regards

I have just 'googled' Andrew Norman , thank you for the recommedation, I have sent an email asking if we could bring the instrument to him. Hopefully this will solve the mystery on whether we have a duet or anglo!

trace, In my experience that format is unusual for the inscription on a C. Jeffries instrument, and I've never seen one before that said "& Inventor". And the only concertina that he is known to have invented was his own system of duet concertina, in which case it should play the same note on press and draw. However, it may be out of tune if it sounds like it plays different notes or it could have been converted to an Anglo. The significant difference for you, if you're selling it, may be that an Anglo is worth about twice as much as a duet ... Aldershot Road was Charlie Jeffries' house, and the address on the final C. Jeffries instruments after he "retired", and I've seen examples dated around 1923. Looks like it could be a good idea for us to visit an expert - do you know of anyone who could help living in the South East of England?

As you know we are pretty clueless but we think it makes different notes when you push and pull also (not sure if this makes any difference) there is a button just away from the handles and this stops any notes. That will be the "air" button to inflate/deflate the bellows as required without a reed sounding. You may be about to get the nicest surprise of your life.... They look like four "full" rows rather than 3 plus extras. It would be a mighty anglo with 50 keys (I do know of an anglo with 58 buttons though). I have counted all the buttons - and on the side which is stamped with maker details from top (just below stamp) is a row of 6, then 7, then 6, finally 7 + 1 air button. On opposite side top the row at the top has 5, then 6, then 6,then 6 + 1 air button. Is this of any help?

As you know we are pretty clueless but we think it makes different notes when you push and pull also (not sure if this makes any difference) there is a button just away from the handles and this stops any notes.

Thanks Al, I will get some photos this evening and attach tomorrow so everyone can have a look. Its quite scary to think it was nearly thrown out a number of times over the years! Regards Trace Hello I have now added some more photos - what do you think?

Trace, It sounds "wrong" just from the wording you quote, and I've seen a good few fake Jeffries in my time. However, Jeffries was at 12, Aldershot Road, Kilburn in his latter years, so could you confirm the address, and for that matter the spelling of his name: Jefferies or Jeffries? As we usually say in these circumstances; photographs would be extremely helpful. Hi Stephen Thank you for your reply, I have edited my wording as I just called my dad to double check the inscription and I have got a little confused it actually reads 'C Jeffries - Maker & Inventor 12 Aldershot Rd, Kilburn NW6' Must have got a little confused as I have read so much on the internet this morning! I am going to add some photos very soon I have now added some photos - what do you think?

Thanks Al, I will get some photos this evening and attach tomorrow so everyone can have a look. Its quite scary to think it was nearly thrown out a number of times over the years! Regards Trace

Trace, It sounds "wrong" just from the wording you quote, and I've seen a good few fake Jeffries in my time. However, Jeffries was at 12, Aldershot Road, Kilburn in his latter years, so could you confirm the address, and for that matter the spelling of his name: Jefferies or Jeffries? As we usually say in these circumstances; photographs would be extremely helpful. Hi Stephen Thank you for your reply, I have edited my wording as I just called my dad to double check the inscription and I have got a little confused it actually reads 'C Jeffries - Maker & Inventor 12 Aldershot Rd, Kilburn NW6' Must have got a little confused as I have read so much on the internet this morning! I am going to add some photos very soon

My father is in possession of what we believe to be a C Jeffries concertina he has owned it for approx 30 years. He picked it up from a rubbish heap and thought it would be a fun toy for my sister and I to play with, thankfully we didnt take to it and he ended up storing it in a loft until quite recently! It has the inscription ' C Jeffries - Maker & Inventor - 12 Aldershot Road, Kilburn NW6' It has 25 keys on each metal plate and is in working order, even though it is a little worn in places. It is made of leather, wood and has hexagon shaped metal ends with a scrolled typed pattern, the inscription is set on a type of plate area. Our knowledge of its history has come from the internet but we are still a little confused as everything we have researched does not have the inscription 'Inventor'? Is it just that this is insignificant or could it indicate something else? I would love to hear from anyone who could offer us some advice! Thank you