Pete Dickey Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Jinny Can I also suggest that you take your concertina along to Theo who lives not that far away from you and is a very experienced 'tina repairer although far too modest to mention it. He will check it out for you and advise whether it needs any repairs or overhaul. It may also be in old tuning and could be retuned although whether you should get this done or leave it alone is for you to decide and not for me to advise or I might cause uproar on the forum Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 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 No offence taken Malcolm. You gave me and my partner a good laugh. We should trademark 'Wheatstone bellows green' and sell the name to Crown or Dulux. You saw it here first! Jinny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 Jinny Can I also suggest that you take your concertina along to Theo who lives not that far away from you and is a very experienced 'tina repairer although far too modest to mention it. He will check it out for you and advise whether it needs any repairs or overhaul. It may also be in old tuning and could be retuned although whether you should get this done or leave it alone is for you to decide and not for me to advise or I might cause uproar on the forum Pete hello Pete, I've been corresponding with Theo and I'm taking my concertina to him today. I'm hoping he will be able to advise me on what needs to be done. Infact I'm really looking forward to hearing what he has to say. I'd love to be able to learn to play her which I'm sure will mean some work being carried out to the instrument. I'm not one for causing an uproar but why might it be advised that I just leave the instrument how it is? Jinny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan atlas Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 JINNY AND FOLKS: with respect to the "pedigree" of the instrument. . . . .having recently completed a study of the women logged in the Wheatstone sales ledgers, i can say that i was NOT able to identify this particular Lady Lennox, whose first initial is "A". . . . . . in the end, i settled for the following: likely related to the Lennox family that bore the title of Dukes of Richmond, though it cannot be Lady Augusta Caroline Gordon-Lennox, daughter of charles Gordon, 5th Duke of Richmond, since she had already married Prince William Augustus Edward of Saxe-Weimar in 1851 [the citation dates from 1856]; perhaps related to the Lord George Lennox of 38 St Jame's Street or the Lord William Lennox of 1 Berkeley Square. . .note that a Lady William Lennox directed an orchestra of twenty-eight ladies in the early twentieth century. . . wish i could pin down her identity with greater precision. . . .i'd sure welcome someone else doing it..........Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 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! Hi Peter, I have been doing a bit of investigating. My partner and I looked at the ledger containing the info on my concertina, and discovered Lady Lennox's first name began with an A. The only Lady A Lennox I have been able to find from that time is a Lady Augusta Catherine Gordon-Lennox. She was born in 1827 (on the same day and month as me!) in London, and died in 1904 in London. Her husband was effectively regarded as Queen Victoria's first cousin, and after her marriage she was styled as Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar. The composer Alexander Walker wrote the tune 'Lady Augusta Gordon Lennox' for her. I have found a couple of photo's of her on the net, but no sign of my beautiful concertina! As I have already said this is the only Lady A Lennox I have been able to find during my searches but whether this is the right Lady Lennox will probably remain a mystery. As will no doubt the full history of my instrument. I hope I haven't bored you or others too much with this info, I just thought it might be of interest. Jane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 JINNY AND FOLKS: with respect to the "pedigree" of the instrument. . . . .having recently completed a study of the women logged in the Wheatstone sales ledgers, i can say that i was NOT able to identify this particular Lady Lennox, whose first initial is "A". . . . . . in the end, i settled for the following: likely related to the Lennox family that bore the title of Dukes of Richmond, though it cannot be Lady Augusta Caroline Gordon-Lennox, daughter of charles Gordon, 5th Duke of Richmond, since she had already married Prince William Augustus Edward of Saxe-Weimar in 1851 [the citation dates from 1856]; perhaps related to the Lord George Lennox of 38 St Jame's Street or the Lord William Lennox of 1 Berkeley Square. . .note that a Lady William Lennox directed an orchestra of twenty-eight ladies in the early twentieth century. . . wish i could pin down her identity with greater precision. . . .i'd sure welcome someone else doing it..........Allan Hi Allen, I've just replied to Peter about info I found on Lady Augusta Caroline Gordon- Lennox, and since then I have read your posting. Of course, your right, her name would have changed subsequent to her marriage which was before the instrument was sold to her. That hadn't occurred to me, I guess I'll never make Sherlock Holmes. Oh well back to the drawing board. Shame it wasn't her though because she shared my birthday. I like the sound of Lady William Lennox, with her orchestra. I too would love to be able to identify this mysterious Lady A Lennox. Will keep ya posted. Jinny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan atlas Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 FOLKS: the obvious first place to start digging would be Burke's Peerage. . . . . .i went through that, and could not find a plausible candidate. . . . . .however, i might have missed one. . . . . . it is definitely not Lady Augusta Lennox, who, as we've noted, was already married prior to the prince of Saxe-Weimar prior to the sale of the instrument. . . . . if anyone's interested, the article to which i referred is titled "Ladies in the Wheatstone Ledgers: The Gendered Concertina, 1835-1870," in the Royal Musical Association Research Chronicle, vol. 39 (2006), pp. 1 - 234. . . . .it will eventually be posted on Bob Gaskins' website: www.concertina.com. . . . .probably around the very end of the year.................Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pierceall Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 JINNY AND FOLKS: with respect to the "pedigree" of the instrument. . . . .having recently completed a study of the women logged in the Wheatstone sales ledgers, i can say that i was NOT able to identify this particular Lady Lennox, whose first initial is "A". . . . . . in the end, i settled for the following: likely related to the Lennox family that bore the title of Dukes of Richmond, though it cannot be Lady Augusta Caroline Gordon-Lennox, daughter of charles Gordon, 5th Duke of Richmond, since she had already married Prince William Augustus Edward of Saxe-Weimar in 1851 [the citation dates from 1856]; perhaps related to the Lord George Lennox of 38 St Jame's Street or the Lord William Lennox of 1 Berkeley Square. . .note that a Lady William Lennox directed an orchestra of twenty-eight ladies in the early twentieth century. . . wish i could pin down her identity with greater precision. . . .i'd sure welcome someone else doing it..........Allan Hi Allen, I've just replied to Peter about info I found on Lady Augusta Caroline Gordon- Lennox, and since then I have read your posting. Of course, your right, her name would have changed subsequent to her marriage which was before the instrument was sold to her. That hadn't occurred to me, I guess I'll never make Sherlock Holmes. Oh well back to the drawing board. Shame it wasn't her though because she shared my birthday. I like the sound of Lady William Lennox, with her orchestra. I too would love to be able to identify this mysterious Lady A Lennox. Will keep ya posted. Jinny Jinny, From the 1871 England Census: Lady A Lennox and Lord A Lennox, living with her father, Charles Towneley - landowner and magistrate) Year of her birth: 1841. Place of birth: Westminster Middlesex England. That would have made her about 15 years of age in 1856. I don't know enough about the customs of that place and time to know if women were married at that age. I thought I'd post this nevertheless. More info than I've listed here, but it's time to practice. Cheers -- Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes williams Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 (edited) From the 1871 England Census: Lady A Lennox and Lord A Lennox, living with her father, Charles Towneley - landowner and magistrate) Year of her birth: 1841. Place of birth: Westminster Middlesex England. That would have made her about 15 years of age in 1856. I don't know enough about the customs of that place and time to know if women were married at that age. I thought I'd post this nevertheless. More info than I've listed here, but it's time to practice. Cheers -- Mike But unfortunately Emily Frances Townely married Lord Alexander Francis Charles Gordon-Lennox in 1863, so it can't be her . Next candidate? Edited November 2, 2006 by wes williams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 Hello there everybody, okay heres a thought that I would appreciate some feedback on. What if our Lady Augusta Gordon Lennox only used her official Princess title for formal occasions and on other occasions (like shopping for concertina's) she used her original title of Lady A. Lennox? For example the Princess of Wales continued to use Lady Diana Spencer as her informal title, and the Duchess of York continued to be known as Lady Sarah Ferguson. Just a thought. And heres an update on my beautiful concertina who visited the specialist yestrday, (thanks for your advice and time Theo if your reading). As expected she is old and tired and not even in tune with her self. Plus she may have even adopted her bellows from some other poor concertina who bellowed its last breath. But the good news is she can and will play again (minus moths of course and after a fair bit of TLC). I'm trying to find a good book to teach me the basics at the mo, so any advice on which one to buy would be greatly welcomed. Cheers me dears Jinny P.s my partner has just shouted from downstairs this concertina is taking over our lives! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 (edited) ................. I'm trying to find a good book to teach me the basics at the mo, so any advice on which one to buy would be greatly welcomed. Cheers me dears Jinny P.s my partner has just shouted from downstairs this concertina is taking over our lives! Would this be ok just to get a start: http://www.concertina.com/butler/butler-th...rtina-tutor.pdf from here: http://www.concertina.com/english/ Just a passing thought. The serial number paper is not moved and possibly a number 1 is covered or worn is it? (18178) Thanks Leo Edited November 2, 2006 by Leo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterT Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 P.s my partner has just shouted from downstairs this concertina is taking over our lives! Sounds like he is in the market to buy one! Then, all you need is a local dance team to play for. Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 ................. I'm trying to find a good book to teach me the basics at the mo, so any advice on which one to buy would be greatly welcomed. Cheers me dears Jinny P.s my partner has just shouted from downstairs this concertina is taking over our lives! Would this be ok just to get a start: http://www.concertina.com/butler/butler-th...rtina-tutor.pdf from here: http://www.concertina.com/english/ Just a passing thought. The serial number paper is not moved and possibly a number 1 is covered or worn is it? (18178) Thanks Leo thank you for the links Leo, I'm off to have a look at them now. Just had the old lady out her box to re check the serial number but its definately 8178. I think the number stamped in the bellows is 1078. But not sure if they are Wheatstone bellows. Thanks Jinny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinny Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 ................. I'm trying to find a good book to teach me the basics at the mo, so any advice on which one to buy would be greatly welcomed. Cheers me dears Jinny P.s my partner has just shouted from downstairs this concertina is taking over our lives! Would this be ok just to get a start: http://www.concertina.com/butler/butler-th...rtina-tutor.pdf from here: http://www.concertina.com/english/ Just a passing thought. The serial number paper is not moved and possibly a number 1 is covered or worn is it? (18178) Thanks Leo thank you for the links Leo, I'm off to have a look at them now. Just had the old lady out her box to re check the serial number but its definately 8178. I think the number stamped in the bellows is 1078. But not sure if they are Wheatstone bellows. Thanks Jinny. Hey Leo, I have just learn't to play notes c and d on my tina! Probably not at all how those notes should sound tho, given her lack of tune at the mo. But I am well chuffed that I have been able to understand the info on the first link you sent me. Have yet to look at the second link. Many thanks Jinny (a not so absolute beginner!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan atlas Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 FOLKS: with respect to the entry in the ledger using Lady A Lennox's OLD name and title: anything is possible. . . . . .and one of the possibilies: we don't know the answer. . . . . . . but keep hunting. . . .because another of the possibilies: you'll find her. . . .even if by accident. . . . .allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pierceall Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 From the 1871 England Census: Lady A Lennox and Lord A Lennox, living with her father, Charles Towneley - landowner and magistrate) Year of her birth: 1841. Place of birth: Westminster Middlesex England. That would have made her about 15 years of age in 1856. I don't know enough about the customs of that place and time to know if women were married at that age. I thought I'd post this nevertheless. More info than I've listed here, but it's time to practice. Cheers -- Mike But unfortunately Emily Frances Townely married Lord Alexander Francis Charles Gordon-Lennox in 1863, so it can't be her . Next candidate? Wes, thanks for that added information on Lady Lennox, nee Towneley -- her year of marriage. Oh, well, back to the books. Regards, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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