Searching for my great-aunt's concertina

[onejude]

Pretty hopeless, but my great aunt Ida Stern played English concertina in Brooklyn at least till the 1960s and 70s.  I don't know if she brought it from Russia.  My Mom had it after that and sold it to a music store in Oakdale, NY, which store doesn't exist anymore.  This picture shows her with her two sons who played piano and violin, and apparently mandolin.  I know she played in a mandolin orchestra in NYC; back then there were many of those.

 

If you have any clue about this concertina from the picture, let me know.  I don't have a clearer picture.

 

Thanks for any ideas!  I play now, though I hated the sound as a kid!

 

Judith

 

 

[Stephen Chambers]

It's hard to tell much from your photo Judith, though I've manipulated it as best I can to make it clearer:

 

 

The instrument is clearly an example of Wheatstone's best, octagonal, Aeola English system concertinas, made (judging by the "Best Ring Label" that's visible) not earlier than mid-1927.

[4to5to6]

My first impression is a Wheastone extended treble Aeola not earlier than 1927 as Stephen said.  Best wishes in finding one.

 

Do you have any recordings of them playing together?

[cgal_1]

What does a Best ring label look like?

[Stephen Chambers]

On 12/8/2023 at 7:59 PM, cgal_1 said:

What does a Best ring label look like?

 

Like this: