Wheatstone English

[Stiamh]

Shown below (I hope) is a pic of a concertina that belonged to my late uncle, who bought it second hand in 1932. My cousins would like to know more about it. They supplied me with the photo and the following info.

 

Label behind fretwork on right-hand end reads:

 

BY HIS MAJESTY'S LETTERS PATENT

C WHEATSTONE,

Inventor,

20, Conduit St, Regent St,

LONDON

 

Number behind fretwork on the other end is: 1008

 

Depth when closed 11.5 cm. The ends are light brown figured wood (or tortoiseshell?) Bellows are of dark green leather with white spotted infill.

 

Label inside lid of box reads

 

FROM

C ROYLANCE

Manufacturer & Professor .. (illegible)

CONCERTINA AND HARMON.....

... Charlotte St. Fitzroy Square

LONDON.

 

I believe the instrument has not been played since my uncle passed away 1961. Bellows have been patched. According to my cousins it still works though not perfectly - at least one note badly out of tune (!)

 

All information gratefully received but the following points are of particular interest:

 

a) approximate value of the instrument as is

approximate value when fully restored

c) what work might need to be done and how much this might cost. E.g. minimum new bellows, straps and a retune, but what is the likelihood that extensive reedwork might need doing?

d) professionals you would recommend for assessing the instrument and the work needed and/or doing the restoration. The instrument is in the Manchester area.

 

Many thanks for all information and opinions

 

Steve

Edited December 3, 2007 by ZiziAllaire

[Stephen Chambers]

Steve,

 

That's quite an early instrument, and having 48 keys, as well as being finished in amboyna wood, it would have been an expensive one in its day. It was sold to Lady Hartland on 22nd October 1845, and you can see the ledger entry for it if you click here.

 

I own number 1006 (an identical instrument) listed above it.

 

Charles Roylance was a later teacher and dealer who must have sold the instrument secondhand. He was at 38, Charlotte Street around 1865-78.

[Stiamh]

Many thanks, Steve. I just tried to send you a pm but apparently your inbox is full!