Wallis English Concertina

[Lawrence Reeves]

My wife and I were wandering an antique mall on Monday, and of course I was on the lookout for vintage instruments. I spotted a Wallis English concertina with original case ( replacement latch). The instrument appeared to be intact, but I was a little apprehensive on purchasing at the asking price of $250. The instrument had the notes named on the white buttons, and black for the outside row. There were cracks on both sides that could have been fixed, and the bellows were the original green leather white papers. My biggest concern was the fretwork appeared to have wood on the inside. I was able to get a not to sound although the bellows were atrocious. I made an offer of $50 dollars and they countered with 100. I passed not due to the cosmetic condition, but the wood baffle/ fretwork. I also doubt the reeds were steel, if not noted somewhere on the ends, and it would have needed all new bellows and tuning.

[Larry Stout]

If it was an early example it may have had its original spruce baffles (like my Wheatstone from 1851). I would guess brass reeds. If I'd been the one bargaining I might have taken the $100 counter offer, though a full rehabilitation job might be costly. I'd have been taking it on as a project.

 

That said I'm not familiar with Wallis. Might this be a rebadged Lachenal?

[Lawrence Reeves]

Yes, it was a Lachenal. I guess the reality of the cracks being pretty bad, and not being able to open to even see the condition of the action held me back. A Lachenal of similar design if restored and with brass reeds would likely bring around 500.