jinny Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pierceall Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Welcome, Jinny, You're never too old to learn new things. It's what keeps us young Does your instrument have a serial number? That will tell us more about it's age. It might even be in the Wheatstone production ledgers, which can be searched online. Many people are self taught, myself included, and there are a number of instructional publications available. You first need to determine what kind of concertina your have. Anglo and English are the two main types. Can you describe it's appearance for us? How many buttons, etc? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 (edited) Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Hi Jinny I'm not a specialist by any means or criterion. No it's not too late to learn. Yes it's worth something. Insurance is up to you. This is the place for help. (the short version). Do you have any musical ability now, and what part of the world do you live in. There are people all over the world here. The parent site to this forum has good information: http://www.concertina.net/ Some great history and learning information: http://www.concertina.com/ Another great site for information: http://www.concertina.info/ Thanks Leo (Sorry Michael typing at the same time. You took the word out of my mouth) Edited October 28, 2006 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Welcome, Jinny, You're never too old to learn new things. It's what keeps us young Does your instrument have a serial number? That will tell us more about it's age. It might even be in the Wheatstone production ledgers, which can be searched online. Many people are self taught, myself included, and there are a number of instructional publications available. You first need to determine what kind of concertina your have. Anglo and English are the two main types. Can you describe it's appearance for us? How many buttons, etc? Mike hello Mike, thanks for the speedy reply. Here's my attempt to describe its appearence. On one side of the instrument it says 'her majesty's letters patent, C.wheatstone,(unable to read the next line), london' and on the other side there is a number '8178'. I'm not sure if this is a serial number? Its shape is hexagon. Its in a wooden box surrounded by leather. It has brass enbossed flowers on its side, with a cut out wooden pattern and brass rests for your thumbs (surrounded by leather). It has four lines of six buttons on one side and four lines of bottons on the other side; six on one line, seven on the next, six on the next and 5 on the next. Its bellows are racing car green with white patterned inlays. Hope this info is of help. Again many thanks and I look forward to your reply. Jane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Hi Jinny I'm not a specialist by any means or criterion. No it's not too late to learn. Yes it's worth something. Insurance is up to you. This is the place for help. (the short version). Do you have any musical ability now, and what part of the world do you live in. There are people all over the world here. The parent site to this forum has good information: http://www.concertina.net/ Some great history and learning information: http://www.concertina.com/ Another great site for information: http://www.concertina.info/ Thanks Leo (Sorry Michael typing at the same time. You took the word out of my mouth) Hi Leo, thanks for the help,I'll check out those sites tomorrow. I've replied to Michael and posted a descrption of my instrument. As for my musical abilty, well it's nothing to write home about. I can play the recorder (stop laughing) and I can play the guitar a little bit. Is there any hope? Oh and I can play one song on the mouth organ! I'm from Northumberland, England, UK. Thanks jane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 (edited) Jane If it looks close to Michaels picture, or the picture in my profile information (click on my name). I suspect then it's an "English". Also does it play the same note or different on the pull and push. English would play same and "Anglo" would sound different. The metal things are for pinky finger, and the leather straps are for thumb (English). If it is Anglo, the leather strap would be able to fit your whole hand. In any event sounds nice. Lucky you. Wouldn't dare laugh. I started at age 55 Does this help? Thanks Leo Edited October 28, 2006 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 JaneIf it looks close to Michaels picture, or the picture in my profile information (click on my name). I suspect then it's an "English". Also does it play the same note or different on the pull and push. English would play same and "Anglo" would sound different. The metal things are for pinky finger, and the leather straps are for thumb (English). If it is Anglo, the leather strap would be able to fit your whole hand. In any event sounds nice. Lucky you. Wouldn't dare laugh. I started at age 55 Does this help? Thanks Leo Leo, yes this does help. It sounds like its the same note to me. And yes it looks just like the instruments in your and Michaels pics. Can't believe i've neglected such a beautiul thing for so long. It probably can't wait to played again! Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 Jane If it looks close to Michaels picture, or the picture in my profile information (click on my name). I suspect then it's an "English". Also does it play the same note or different on the pull and push. English would play same and "Anglo" would sound different. The metal things are for pinky finger, and the leather straps are for thumb (English). If it is Anglo, the leather strap would be able to fit your whole hand. In any event sounds nice. Lucky you. Wouldn't dare laugh. I started at age 55 Does this help? Thanks Leo Leo, yes this does help. It sounds like its the same note to me. And yes it looks just like the instruments in your and Michaels pics. Can't believe i've neglected such a beautiul thing for so long. It probably can't wait to played again! Jane p.s. where you from Leo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 (edited) yes this does help. It sounds like its the same note to me. And yes it looks just like the instruments in your and Michaels pics. Can't believe i've neglected such a beautiul thing for so long. It probably can't wait to played again!Jane p.s. where you from Leo? Western PA USA. My question would be in reference to see if anybody is close. England, Ireland has lots of members here. USA, New England a few, and the rest of the country very spread out. There are quite a few "English" players with a lot of good expertise here. Depending where you live, then you might be able to find some local ablility to help, or listen in to some "sessions". In the mean time, look at this page. It's interesting to see the various styles of music: http://www.anglo-concertina.net/links.htm Thanks Leo Edited October 28, 2006 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hi Leo, thanks for the help,I'll check out those sites tomorrow. I've replied to Michael and posted a descrption of my instrument. As for my musical abilty, well it's nothing to write home about. I can play the recorder (stop laughing) and I can play the guitar a little bit. Is there any hope? Oh and I can play one song on the mouth organ! I'm from Northumberland, England, UK. Thanks jane. Hi Jane, You say that you are from Northumberland; do you still live there? If you are interested in traditional music, and specifically that from your home area, you could do worse than seek out Alistair Anderson (who I saw, today, for the first time in 10 years!). Alistair is full-time professional and does a fair amount of teaching of both traditional music and English concertina. He is based in Alnwick, so should be fairly easy to track down. Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hi Leo, thanks for the help,I'll check out those sites tomorrow. I've replied to Michael and posted a descrption of my instrument. As for my musical abilty, well it's nothing to write home about. I can play the recorder (stop laughing) and I can play the guitar a little bit. Is there any hope? Oh and I can play one song on the mouth organ! I'm from Northumberland, England, UK. Thanks jane. Hi Jane, You say that you are from Northumberland; do you still live there? If you are interested in traditional music, and specifically that from your home area, you could do worse than seek out Alistair Anderson (who I saw, today, for the first time in 10 years!). Alistair is full-time professional and does a fair amount of teaching of both traditional music and English concertina. He is based in Alnwick, so should be fairly easy to track down. Regards, Peter. Hi peter, more good advice. I do still live in Northumberland (stocksfield) and I'm often in the Alnwick Area so will attempt to track down Alistair. Thank you all for the advice so far. thankyou thankyou jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pierceall Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Welcome, Jinny, You're never too old to learn new things. It's what keeps us young Does your instrument have a serial number? That will tell us more about it's age. It might even be in the Wheatstone production ledgers, which can be searched online. Many people are self taught, myself included, and there are a number of instructional publications available. You first need to determine what kind of concertina your have. Anglo and English are the two main types. Can you describe it's appearance for us? How many buttons, etc? Mike hello Mike, thanks for the speedy reply. Here's my attempt to describe its appearence. On one side of the instrument it says 'her majesty's letters patent, C.wheatstone,(unable to read the next line), london' and on the other side there is a number '8178'. I'm not sure if this is a serial number? Its shape is hexagon. Its in a wooden box surrounded by leather. It has brass enbossed flowers on its side, with a cut out wooden pattern and brass rests for your thumbs (surrounded by leather). It has four lines of six buttons on one side and four lines of bottons on the other side; six on one line, seven on the next, six on the next and 5 on the next. Its bellows are racing car green with white patterned inlays. Hope this info is of help. Again many thanks and I look forward to your reply. Jane. Jinny, according to the ledgers, your concertina was made for Lady Lennox on February 25, 1856. It's a grand old lady, indeed. Perhaps you can teach her some new tricks. It's an English as opposed to an Anglo, probably a treble. If you could provide a picture for us, I'm sure we'd enjoy a look. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animaterra Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Welcome, Jinny! What a wonderful story! Please stick around, and let us know how you are faring with this treasure of yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Coles Posted October 28, 2006 Share Posted October 28, 2006 Can't believe i've neglected such a beautiul thing for so long. It probably can't wait to played again! Jane p.s. where you from Leo? Western PA USA. For my yankee friends (including Leo, we are not too far apart but have never met in person), when corresponding with folks in other countries I usually spell out the state, as the postal office abbreviation "PA" may mean no more to them than theirs (Lancs, Herts) mean to us. Leo and I live in Pennsylvania, by the way, a rust belt state formerly of steel mills and coal mines now covered with lots pretty green trees, and usually rainclouds too (Like tonight). Sounds like England, but rather more mountainous. Many of us would be grateful to have and play the instrument of an ancestor, do enjoy yourself! Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Jinny Contact The Sage Gateshead and enquire about Caedmon Folk. This is a weekly set of music workshop which includes tuition on English Concertina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm clapp Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 (edited) No offence meant, Jane, but trying to stop laughing at the thought of the bellows of an 1856 Wheatstone being described as "racing car green"..... Perhaps "British racing green" should be re-named as "Wheatstone bellows green". I want a set in Ferrari red, please.... MC Edited October 29, 2006 by malcolm clapp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 Hello all, I'm in need of a bit of specialist advice. My mum gave me her father's wheatstone concertina a few years ago. Yesterday I was listening to a local radio prog; the lady who wrote and played the music for bagpus was on and was talking about and playing a concertina. I have since been trying to find out info on my instrument and was surprised to hear it might even be worth some money. I turned the grand age of 30 this year and wonder is it too late for me to learn to play this instrument? And how could I learn? And if it is worth some money do I need to insure it? Can any one help answer my questions. Many thanks Jane. Welcome, Jinny, You're never too old to learn new things. It's what keeps us young Does your instrument have a serial number? That will tell us more about it's age. It might even be in the Wheatstone production ledgers, which can be searched online. Many people are self taught, myself included, and there are a number of instructional publications available. You first need to determine what kind of concertina your have. Anglo and English are the two main types. Can you describe it's appearance for us? How many buttons, etc? Mike hello Mike, thanks for the speedy reply. Here's my attempt to describe its appearence. On one side of the instrument it says 'her majesty's letters patent, C.wheatstone,(unable to read the next line), london' and on the other side there is a number '8178'. I'm not sure if this is a serial number? Its shape is hexagon. Its in a wooden box surrounded by leather. It has brass enbossed flowers on its side, with a cut out wooden pattern and brass rests for your thumbs (surrounded by leather). It has four lines of six buttons on one side and four lines of bottons on the other side; six on one line, seven on the next, six on the next and 5 on the next. Its bellows are racing car green with white patterned inlays. Hope this info is of help. Again many thanks and I look forward to your reply. Jane. Jinny, according to the ledgers, your concertina was made for Lady Lennox on February 25, 1856. It's a grand old lady, indeed. Perhaps you can teach her some new tricks. It's an English as opposed to an Anglo, probably a treble. If you could provide a picture for us, I'm sure we'd enjoy a look. Mike Double wow, somebody pinch me. I never for one minute thought that she would be as old as that, and from royality eh. I always fancied myself as a lady! As soon as I read your reply I was off searching the net to see if could find out any info on Lady Lennox(nothing to report as yet). Its fasinating to think how it got into the hands of my grandfather. My mum told me that he used to play in the Salvation Army and in the Pit (coal mine) band in Ashington, Northumberland. We wondered if he was given the instrument from the Salvation Army as we're not sure how else he would have been able to afford it. We have worked out that my granfather played this instrument in the 1940's, maybe a little earlier. So we can account for its whereabouts since this time. It would be great to be able to work out its family tree. Is there any way from looking at the ledgers that we would know what area Lady Lennox was from, or any other info other than her name? Meanwhile we are going to take the grand old lady for a health check to a local specialist (thank you Theo if your reading). We're all very amazed and enthused about our discovery, and also very grateful for the wonderful response that we have had from this site. Keep up the fab advice and help. Big thanks Mike. Kind regards Jane. P.S. I will definately post some pics of the old girl in all her splendour for all to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 (edited) Jinny, according to the ledgers, your concertina was made for Lady Lennox on February 25, 1856. It's a grand old lady, indeed. Perhaps you can teach her some new tricks. It's an English as opposed to an Anglo, probably a treble. If you could provide a picture for us, I'm sure we'd enjoy a look. Mike As soon as I read your reply I was off searching the net to see if could find out any info on Lady Lennox(nothing to report as yet). Is there any way from looking at the ledgers that we would know what area Lady Lennox was from, or any other info other than her name? Hi Jane, It's important to remember that whilst quality concertinas are expensive now, 150 years ago, they would probably have been quite a novelty, and status symbol for the famous and wealthy (i.e. probably proportionately even more expensive than now). If you page through the early Wheatstone ledgers, you'll find numerous Lords, Ladies and Sirs. If a search for Lady Lennox has failed to give you a lead, try Lord Lennox. There are many references (and several people with the title "Lord Lennox" over the years) but this one could possibly be the right one although he would have been quite young when the instrument was purchased: http://darwin.lib.cam.ac.uk/perl/nav?pclas...lent;pkey=10120 Regards, Peter Edited to add a working link! Edited October 30, 2006 by PeterT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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