I have a 1927 Wheatstone duet concertina. Value?

[CatDaddy]

Hello good folks,

 

I've been researching old Wheatstone concertinas the last few days on the Internet and this website and forums are always coming up as a highly regarded and very knowledgeable source.

 

Perhaps someone can help me...

 

I have a 1927 Wheatstone Duet Concertina, Serial Number 31562, and I'm wondering what its value might be (within a price range perhaps). If it has a decent value, I'd like to sell it or consign it to sell. I'm in the USA but can ship to the UK.

 

This duet concertina comes with its original case and all the original paperwork from Wheatstone on their letterhead (hand-written bill of sale and long letter to customer).

 

It's a Wheatstone Model No. 33, Serial Number of 31562. It was made by Wheatstone on July 9, 1927 and sold and posted by Wheatstone directly to a customer back on May 15, 1928 as the paperwork shows.

 

It has 46 keys. Polished rosewood with pierced scrolling designs, nickel-silver keys, bushed, six-fold leather bellows, screwed notes, steel reeds, and a square case. It's tuned to the old Philharmonic scale of C540.

 

It works perfectly in all ways! Nice sound. Keys work smoothly. Bellows are strong and secure and work smoothly. No cracks or damage, just some light scattered bellow scuffs here and there. No missing parts. Wheatstone and serial number plates secure. Leather hand straps are solid and not cracked or dry. Carrying case is strong and secure but leather case straps have degraded or are missing. Inside Wheatstone case label secure.

 

It had a "tune-up" and cleaning 4 years ago and four steel reeds were replaced.

 

I'm just trying to get a rough range or loose estimate on the value (in either UK pounds or US dollars) of my concertina and I'm hoping you can help me. I can always post some photos if that will help.

 

Thank you in advance,

Pierce

[Greg Jowaisas]

Hi Pierce,

Let me begin by ecouraging you, as many of members of this forum no doubt will, to learn to play this instrument.

It is a quality concertina, made by one of the very best makers and to commission the making of a similar instrument of equal quality would entail the expenditure of at least 4 to 5 thousand dollars. You may never again have the opportunity to learn to play on such a nice instrument.

 

That said, you are probably realizing that MacCann duets are not presently at the height of their popularity. MacCanns with 46b or less seem to be readily available. A recent ebay offering of perhaps a very similar one to yours:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHEATSTONE-McCANN-DUET-CONCERTINA-FULLY-RESTORED-/150505014364?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item230acc445c

 

resulted in no bids with a starting price of about $1500.

 

The other factor working against that offering and your particular instrument is that most experienced MacCann players who are ready to spend thousands on a quality instrument usually prefer the range that 56-57 buttons or more provide.

 

I'm not much of a MacCann player but I personally enjoy the accessibility and size of a 46b instrument. Perhaps there is someone like me who enjoys the smaller profile and is looking for a quality smaller Maccann to get started on.

 

A couple of questions did occur to me. If the instrument is in Old Philharmonic it could be as high as 50-60 cents above modern standard pitch. That presents an expensive proposition to have the instrument retuned to standard and only if the reeds are in good shape with enough "meat" on them to make the trip and retain their sound quality. You also mentioned 4 reeds were replaced which begs the question why and might be followed up with a request for pictures of the instrument's insides.

 

Even though the maker's pedigree is excellent and your instrument's condition very good the prospects of a $450-$500 tuning cost and its number of buttons may keep its sale price close to $1000. IMHO.

 

Perhaps more valuable to keep and play rather than convert to cash? Other opinions may differ.

 

Greg

[Ralph Jordan]

Hi Pierce,

Let me begin by ecouraging you, as many of members of this forum no doubt will, to learn to play this instrument.

It is a quality concertina, made by one of the very best makers and to commission the making of a similar instrument of equal quality would entail the expenditure of at least 4 to 5 thousand dollars. You may never again have the opportunity to learn to play on such a nice instrument.

 

That said, you are probably realizing that MacCann duets are not presently at the height of their popularity. MacCanns with 46b or less seem to be readily available. A recent ebay offering of perhaps a very similar one to yours:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHEATSTONE-McCANN-DUET-CONCERTINA-FULLY-RESTORED-/150505014364?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item230acc445c

 

resulted in no bids with a starting price of about $1500.

 

The other factor working against that offering and your particular instrument is that most experienced MacCann players who are ready to spend thousands on a quality instrument usually prefer the range that 56-57 buttons or more provide.

 

I'm not much of a MacCann player but I personally enjoy the accessibility and size of a 46b instrument. Perhaps there is someone like me who enjoys the smaller profile and is looking for a quality smaller Maccann to get started on.

 

A couple of questions did occur to me. If the instrument is in Old Philharmonic it could be as high as 50-60 cents above modern standard pitch. That presents an expensive proposition to have the instrument retuned to standard and only if the reeds are in good shape with enough "meat" on them to make the trip and retain their sound quality. You also mentioned 4 reeds were replaced which begs the question why and might be followed up with a request for pictures of the instrument's insides.

 

Even though the maker's pedigree is excellent and your instrument's condition very good the prospects of a $450-$500 tuning cost and its number of buttons may keep its sale price close to $1000. IMHO.

 

Perhaps more valuable to keep and play rather than convert to cash? Other opinions may differ.

 

Greg

 

I sort of agree with Greg on a lot of his points.

My first Duet was a 46 back in 1973. Moved up to a 56 rather quickly, and have stuck with that ever since. I also agree that to have it retuned into concert pitch (properly) is very expensive. Having said that, their value has steadily increased over the years. Due no doubt to their increasing popularity. My current beast was made in 1924. An 8 sided Aeola. Lovely machine.

Keep an eye on these pages for the announcement of the forthcoming Duet International 3 CD set, featuring Duet players from around the world. The value of yours will hopefully rise as a result of its release. In the meantime, why not try to play it? I'm so glad that I did.

If you get your head around the patterns of the buttons you might be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck with your new toy anyway.

Best Wishes Ralphie

[Alan Day]

Hi Pierce,

Let me begin by ecouraging you, as many of members of this forum no doubt will, to learn to play this instrument.

It is a quality concertina, made by one of the very best makers and to commission the making of a similar instrument of equal quality would entail the expenditure of at least 4 to 5 thousand dollars. You may never again have the opportunity to learn to play on such a nice instrument.

 

That said, you are probably realizing that MacCann duets are not presently at the height of their popularity. MacCanns with 46b or less seem to be readily available. A recent ebay offering of perhaps a very similar one to yours:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/WHEATSTONE-McCANN-DUET-CONCERTINA-FULLY-RESTORED-/150505014364?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item230acc445c

 

resulted in no bids with a starting price of about $1500.

 

The other factor working against that offering and your particular instrument is that most experienced MacCann players who are ready to spend thousands on a quality instrument usually prefer the range that 56-57 buttons or more provide.

 

I'm not much of a MacCann player but I personally enjoy the accessibility and size of a 46b instrument. Perhaps there is someone like me who enjoys the smaller profile and is looking for a quality smaller Maccann to get started on.

 

A couple of questions did occur to me. If the instrument is in Old Philharmonic it could be as high as 50-60 cents above modern standard pitch. That presents an expensive proposition to have the instrument retuned to standard and only if the reeds are in good shape with enough "meat" on them to make the trip and retain their sound quality. You also mentioned 4 reeds were replaced which begs the question why and might be followed up with a request for pictures of the instrument's insides.

 

Even though the maker's pedigree is excellent and your instrument's condition very good the prospects of a $450-$500 tuning cost and its number of buttons may keep its sale price close to $1000. IMHO.

 

Perhaps more valuable to keep and play rather than convert to cash? Other opinions may differ.

 

Greg

 

I sort of agree with Greg on a lot of his points.

My first Duet was a 46 back in 1973. Moved up to a 56 rather quickly, and have stuck with that ever since. I also agree that to have it retuned into concert pitch (properly) is very expensive. Having said that, their value has steadily increased over the years. Due no doubt to their increasing popularity. My current beast was made in 1924. An 8 sided Aeola. Lovely machine.

Keep an eye on these pages for the announcement of the forthcoming Duet International 3 CD set, featuring Duet players from around the world. The value of yours will hopefully rise as a result of its release. In the meantime, why not try to play it? I'm so glad that I did.

If you get your head around the patterns of the buttons you might be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck with your new toy anyway.

Best Wishes Ralphie

Well I was speaking to Graham (Roots Records) early in the week and he is trying to get Duet International out before Xmas. I have however had many disappointments with the delivery date of this project, but I will report back with more news as and when I get it. This will include the full line up of artists.

With regards to Duet popularity I do feel a genuine interest in the instrument since we have had our discussions over the last three years. Some artists are starting to come forward with recordings on Utube, Ralphie with his EXCELLENT CD. I have found a far greater pool of Duet players than I initially expected, so much so we are over subscribed for recordings. This may be a disappointment for some who will not make the final cut (Graham's final choice)but once again we have a fantastic mixture of tunes and styles that will satisfy my aim on all these Internationals to show the versatility of each system.

A wooden ended Wheatsone Duet , what a lovely sound that will make. You will regret selling that for the rest of your life.

Al

[CatDaddy]

Thank you so much every one for your responses! It was quite helpful and I gained a lot of valuable information.

 

My concertina actually belongs to a friend who wanted me to sell it on Ebay. He's not a player and it was passed down in his family. But I first needed some information about it that was greatly provided from Internet research and this forum.

 

I listed it on US Ebay last night if you'd like to look at it. I show 27 photos and I think my description describes it pretty well.

 

It's item number: 390255526981 and titled:

 

"1927 Wheatstone 46 Key DUET CONCERTINA #31562 with CASE"

 

Greg mentioned a value of $1000.00 so I listed it with reserve of $995.00 which has been met. Hopefully it will rise, but my friend is so far happy.

 

Thank you all again for taking the time to inform and educate me.

 

Regards,

Pierce

[Ralph Jordan]

Thank you so much every one for your responses! It was quite helpful and I gained a lot of valuable information.

 

My concertina actually belongs to a friend who wanted me to sell it on Ebay. He's not a player and it was passed down in his family. But I first needed some information about it that was greatly provided from Internet research and this forum.

 

I listed it on US Ebay last night if you'd like to look at it. I show 27 photos and I think my description describes it pretty well.

 

It's item number: 390255526981 and titled:

 

"1927 Wheatstone 46 Key DUET CONCERTINA #31562 with CASE"

 

Greg mentioned a value of $1000.00 so I listed it with reserve of $995.00 which has been met. Hopefully it will rise, but my friend is so far happy.

 

Thank you all again for taking the time to inform and educate me.

 

Regards,

Pierce

Pierce. No problem. We are (generally!) quite a nice bunch here. We have to be, we are an endangered species after all! Good luck with the sale. Will follow its progress.

Best wishes Ralphie