Lofty

You refer to this as a “New England fiddle tune”. It’s obviously hard to tell a traditional tune’s origins, but it it strongly associated with a Northumbrian piper called, of course, Jamie Allen. See https://tunearch.org/wiki/Annotation:Jamie_Allen for more on this colourful character. Steve

Further research shows that Wheatstone also imported harmoniums made by Alexandre in France Perhaps the reeds were taken out of an Alexandre harmonium to build a one-off or a prototype bass. This would explain the markings on the reeds. Steve

See http://www.concertina.com/pricelists/wheatstone-english/Wheatstone-MDRA-1859.pdf for information on Wheatstone harmoniums. Steve

Wheatstone made harmoniums too, so using them in a bass concertina is probably no great surprise. Perhaps harmonium reeds were stamped with Do Re Mi etc. so that they could be understood when exported. It looks as though your bass has valves for re-filling the bellows in the ends. I had a previous bass and found these valves refilled the bellows relatively slowly. Mine has “gills” in the bellows, which refills them very quickly. It was built in 1886 and the bellows valves still work perfectly. I think they are original. As your bass is single acting, there are no valves for the reeds. This might make the reeds very responsive, so it could play pretty quickly (until you run out of air, of course). Mine is fast enough to play melodies at a reasonable speed, but this is quite hard work. Do you know what range it covers? Steve

.... and they are back again. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Wheatstone-concertina-Aola-squeeze-box/202369670855?hash=item2f1e2c1ec7:g:MpoAAOSwfb5bSj-7 and https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHEATSTONE-LACHENAL-ENGLISH-CONCERTINA/202369673728?hash=item2f1e2c2a00:g:hiQAAOSwYUdbSj9d I would report them to eBay if I knew how to do it. Steve

There are two concertinas listed on eBay at the moment which seem very strange: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHEATSTONE-LACHENAL-ENGLISH-CONCERTINA/392079491221?hash=item5b49c24095:i:392079491221 and https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Wheatstone-concertina-Aola-squeeze-box/392079491489?hash=item5b49c241a1:g:GsUAAOSwVMtbQlDt These seems to be offered at a very low starting price, but the text for the listings say that they are only available at a ‘Buy it now’ price of 2250 GBP (or alternatives in other currencies). There are numerous other items offered by the same seller, all at the same ‘Buy it now’ price. In addition, I have checked on them a few times and the seller seems to keep changing. My instinct is to treat these with considerable care... Steve

A very smart set of gentlemen! Several people are playing Edeophones. I think these were patented in 1889, so the photo must be from after that. Somebody will know when Lachenal were at that address. Steve

There’s one on eBay at the moment. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mayfair-30-Key-six-fold-English-Concertina-Good-condition-for-age-in-fitted-case/332691489435?hash=item4d75f5429b:g:wmwAAOSw4RZbKPZL Steve

I was lucky enough to see him live a few times. Once, my wife and I arrived very early at the pub where he was performing and he was in the bar. We had a long chat and played darts before his performance. He was amazing live, although he didn’t do well enough to make me change from English to Anglo... Steve

I have owned one of these for a very long time (28,000 serial number) and can vouch for their qualities. I have swapped to try out a few friend's Aeolas: they have all been amazed by its fast response and clear tone. If you are hoping for an Aeola, consider this instead! Steve

Wonderful! When I saw the length I thought I would have to watch it in stages. I was so interested, however, that I watched it all in one sitting. Steve

I had one roll down a hill (or was it pushed?) towards a bonfire.... I got there in time. Steve

Have you seen this one on eBay?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wheatstone-48-key-English-Baritone-Concertina-/252669175185?hash=item3ad441a591:g:hboAAOSw4GVYRaQs If I had the cash to spare, I would be very keen as I have owned serial number 28614 for many years and it would tickle me to bring them together again. I would also like to play it, of course.... Steve Someone seems to have bought it for £2500. Anybody from here? Steve

What a shame! It looks as though somebody has driven over it, then driven over it again to put it out of its misery. Steve.

There doesn't seem to be anything to suggest it isn't genuine. It is a very 'late period' Wheatstone, however, and quality is generally held to be variable from later instruments. It might be very good, of course, but I would want to try before buying! Steve