Help needed. Ancient Olewo concertina

[Frank Ebert]

Hello dear readers. My Name is Frank Ebert and I reside in Le Sueur, Minnesota. My Mother recently passed away at age 91 and I found a very, very old concertina in her belongings. It is an Olewo - made in Germay - and has a registration metal tag with the number 258610.

 

I have searched in desperation and cannot find any information about this old button box conertina. If any one has any information I would highly appreciate it. I would also appreciate direct contact to my E-mail address which is fjebert137@msn.com. if at all possible to avoid going back and forth on the forum.

 

The concertina appears to be in pretty good shape considering its age. The bellows appear excellent and functional. A few of the button keys have fallen of but most are retained in a plastic bag so it would need some work done. It is an unsual nice looking instrument.

 

Unfortunately I know nothing about concertinas. I am a guitar finger style player into classic and the Chet Aitkins style.

 

If any one can help me on any information of this rare isntrument I would aprpeciate it. Since I have no use for it I would anticipate probably donating it to a music museum if there is an interest. Chances are this instrument came across on Noah's arc. I am in the process of taking pictures so they will be soon available and I will be glad to share these.

 

Thank you and good playing. Frank Ebert. 10/16/2010.

[Stephen Chambers]

 

I'm afraid the name Olewo means nothing to me (or my reference books) at the moment, in relation to concertinas (or accordions) - though photos might help.

Edited October 16, 2010 by Stephen Chambers

[cboody]

Hello dear readers. My Name is Frank Ebert and I reside in Le Sueur, Minnesota. My Mother recently passed away at age 91 and I found a very, very old concertina in her belongings. It is an Olewo - made in Germay - and has a registration metal tag with the number 258610.

 

I have searched in desperation and cannot find any information about this old button box conertina. If any one has any information I would highly appreciate it. I would also appreciate direct contact to my E-mail address which is fjebert137@msn.com. if at all possible to avoid going back and forth on the forum.

 

The concertina appears to be in pretty good shape considering its age. The bellows appear excellent and functional. A few of the button keys have fallen of but most are retained in a plastic bag so it would need some work done. It is an unsual nice looking instrument.

 

Unfortunately I know nothing about concertinas. I am a guitar finger style player into classic and the Chet Aitkins style.

 

If any one can help me on any information of this rare isntrument I would aprpeciate it. Since I have no use for it I would anticipate probably donating it to a music museum if there is an interest. Chances are this instrument came across on Noah's arc. I am in the process of taking pictures so they will be soon available and I will be glad to share these.

 

Thank you and good playing. Frank Ebert. 10/16/2010.

 

Frank, I'm in Mound just a bit north of you. I'd be happy to look at the instrument though I'm no expert. You might check out the Czech Concertina Clug in New Prague too. If it is a Chemnitzer style concertina they could doubtless help you out (http://www.concertinaclub.com/). Good luck!

[Stephen Chambers]

I have searched in desperation and cannot find any information about this old button box conertina.

 

If it is a Chemnitzer style concertina they could doubtless help you out (http://www.concertinaclub.com/).

 

So far I'm not even convinced that we are dealing with a concertina here, especially as the only two other very vague internet references to Olewo instruments (an auction catalogue in England and another enquiry, mentioning the same Registration number, in Canada) appear to be in connection with button accordions/melodeons.

 

Mind you, you do sometimes see the same badges on German accordions and concertinas.

 

A photograph could say far more than a thousand words...

[Stephen Chambers]

... I'm not even convinced that we are dealing with a concertina here, especially as the only two other very vague internet references to Olewo instruments (an auction catalogue in England and another enquiry, mentioning the same Registration number, in Canada) appear to be in connection with button accordions/melodeons.

... A photograph could say far more than a thousand words...

 

And when Frank eventually sent me pictures, I was proved to be correct as the instrument was a 2-row button accordion (melodeon if you like) from the 1930s.

[Stephen Chambers]

I'm afraid the name Olewo means nothing to me (or my reference books) at the moment, in relation to concertinas (or accordions) - though photos might help.

 

But there was a 10-key Olewo in amongst the Ruth Askew melodeons that I bought from the recent Bath auction, and that also has the maker's OLW trade mark embossed on the corner plates...

 

So now I can say that Olewo branded instruments were made (from the early years of the 20th century up until nationalisation, c.1961) by Otto L. Wohlrab of Brunndobra, Klingenthal, Saxony.

[JimLucas]

But there was a 10-key Olewo in amongst the Ruth Askew melodeons that I bought from the recent Bath auction, and that also has the maker's OLW trade mark embossed on the corner plates...

In Sweden, OLW is a trademark for a line of chips (British "crisps") and other snacks.

[SteveS]

In Sweden, OLW is a trademark for a line of chips (British "crisps") and other snacks.

Yeah, I like their dill-flavoured crisps.