6 And 8 Sided Aeolas

[Myrtle's cook]

Trawlers of Ebay will no doubt have spotted the six sided ‘Aeola’ with comma and dot fret work presently being offered by Chris Algar. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Extremely-Rare-Wheatstone-48-Key-Pinhole-Aeola-Concertina-for-Restoration-/251294689884?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item3a8254aa5c#ht_237wt_962

It is numbered 23125, but does not seem to carry the ‘Aeola’ name marked on it as others do.

 

The number is of some interest as it is just later than at least one 8 sided Aeola – that in the concertina museum - 23107 http://www.concertinamuseum.com/CM00082.htm

This would suggest that for a short period both 6 and 8 sided ‘Aeolas’ were being produced, both with the ‘dot and comma’ fretwork (a result of outsourced manufacturing of concertinas and parts, or tapering in and out of old/new models perhaps?). Perhaps the absence of ‘Aeola’ marking on the six sided instrument presently offered on eBay points to the exclusive use of this branding for the eight sided instruments by this point.

 

By coincidence another early Aeola is also on eBay at the moment, numbered as 23296. This has the more usual open fretwork – indicating perhaps the demise of ‘dot and comma’ by this period. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330944973596?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_77wt_962

 

Do any C:netters know of further instruments that help refine this sequence or the disappearance of the six sided version? Or even better, if they have the missing Wheatstone ledger(s) for the period, share any of the information contained within!

[JimLucas]

This would suggest that for a short period both 6 and 8 sided ‘Aeolas’ were being produced, both with the ‘dot and comma’ fretwork (a result of outsourced manufacturing of concertinas and parts, or tapering in and out of old/new models perhaps?). Perhaps the absence of ‘Aeola’ marking on the six sided instrument presently offered on eBay points to the exclusive use of this branding for the eight sided instruments by this point.

The sequence of serial numbers doesn't always follow exactly the sequence of dates in the ledgers. In fact, there seems to be evidence that certain "special" serial numbers (e.g., some of those ending in "00") were taken out of sequence to be placed on "special" instruments (e.g., #31600).

 

I believe there's also evidence of occasional instruments begun at one time, but only completed (presumably including stamping the serial number) much later. This could happen, e.g., if an order for an unusual instrument was cancelled with the instrument partly finished, then completed when someone else eventually requested the same sort of instrument.

 

Do any C:netters know of further instruments that help refine this sequence or the disappearance of the six sided version? Or even better, if they have the missing Wheatstone ledger(s) for the period, share any of the information contained within!

Unfortunately, my own pinhole Æola is no help. I've been unable to find a serial number anywhere on or in it. It does have a batch number, but without the missing ledgers that's no help.

 

But this post -- indeed, the entire thread -- should interest you.

[Myrtle's cook]

Jim - very many thanks for this.

Particularly interesting to follow the thread link and see the 8 sided Aeloa with the pinhole ends with the somewhat later number - 24695 - within Theo's post, perhaps suggesting the tonal qualities of these ends were valued for 1 off commissions/particular client groups (just as they are now).