Need advice to sell antique Wheatstone

[HeatherO]

I'm responsible to sell a Wheatstone 48 key English Concertina, made between 1848 and 1863. It's in its box and in good condition. (Haven't taken photos yet but will soon.) I'm in Seattle, WA. What's a good way to go about this? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

[ben]

If you live close to Valleyford or Spokane you may wish to contact Wim Wakker who is a member of this forum as well as an authority on concertinas. Please check his website for his contact info.

 

http://www.concertinaconnection.com/contact.htm

 

Please post several photos of your concertina ....side shots and with the bellows extended or drawn open. Our expert authorities will disclose to you the pedigree of your concertina. How do you know the age of your concertina? Do you have any documentation that comes with this concertina or are there any serial numbers inside or on top of the concertina sides? We can estimate the value of you concertina if we have photos of the exterior as well as a photo or two of the inside reedpans. Opening a concertina is best reserved for an expert player or concertina repairman.

Edited August 14, 2009 by Ben Otto

[KerryFrank]

I'm responsible to sell a Wheatstone 48 key English Concertina, made between 1848 and 1863. It's in its box and in good condition. (Haven't taken photos yet but will soon.) I'm in Seattle, WA. What's a good way to go about this? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

Heather,

As Ben pointed out, an evaluation by a professional, such as Mr Wakker, would be best.

If that wouldn't be possible, you could do a bit of research on it yourself, concertina.com is a good site for info on Wheatstone concertinas. It's linked to the Horniman Museum, in London, England, which has most (if not all) the surviving Wheatstone factory records. There is a section where you can determine the exact date the instrument first left the factory and sometimes even the person's name! (Wheatstone leased, rented and sold instruments from their factory) Unfortunately, there is a gap in the factory records, so you or may not find your instrument's specific serial number.

As a seller, (and back me up on this Ben) you'll want to have good pics of the major features of your instrument; are both the ends complete and in good shape?, did you include a close-up of the trademark Wheatstone label?, what shape are the bellows in? (visually), did you include a close-up of the serial number?, does the case included have the Wheatstone label?, (this might indicate the instrument is in it's original case) what condition (visually) is the case in?

In your ad text you might mention what it's overall condition is; do all the buttons (reeds) work, on the draw and push of the bellows?; can you detect any air leaks in the bellows?, are there any defects in the case that were not evident in the pics? and any other details the pics may not have illustrated. If there is a concertina player nearby, (or if you play) add an evaluation of the instrument. Is it loud or quiet, does it have a sweet sound or a "forceful voice", does it play with ease or does it feel stiff. And expect serious buyers to have questions.

I wish you the very best in the sale of this wonderful instrument! Cordially, KerryF

[Dave Weinstein]

If you look in the General Forum, you will see that there is a Concertina Gathering happening in Seattle at the end of the month.

 

That would be a great place to get opinions, and possibly find a buyer.

 

If it's in meantone rather than equal temperment (which is possible, given the age), I may be interested myself.