The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-030.


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Item Type: Concertina

Summary Labels and Serial Numbers End Frets Fingering System Straps and Holding Devices Fret Baffle Action Board Reeds and Reed Pans Bellows Case and Other

Summary

Full Description: An 1846 period 48-key Amboyna-ended Wheatstone English system, No 1293, with all of the additional new features and showing the final stages of the progression to what may be called the "Standard" Wheatstone design. Conventional divided Ends/Action. This version has end-bolts in the centre of the sides of the action-frames (unlike the corner positions in Instrument C.014 , CW No 612). This design has conventionalhexagonal pans, with triangular wooden corner supports (not the previously-used "French Cradle") and square-ended nickel-tongued reeds, with the standard divided end- and action-levels. The bellows show less of the sharp folding but are still of "Bookbinder's" Style, and are of 4-folds, and have a silk-reinforced bottom-bout to bellows-frame, and have the early "Circle & Dot" bellows papers. Original straps. In fine condition. Sold on 18th Nov 1846 to George Case for Anderson Esq. A "Willm Prowse" label in the lid of the case.

Concertina Summary: Charles Wheatstone No 1293 "His Maj.." label (with the "C" under "mAj" variant). sold on 18th November 1846 to Mr Case for Anderson esq.

Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper

Maker: C Wheatstone

Maker Links: Concertina, Charles Wheatstone No 1293 http://www.concertina.com/wheatstone/index.htm

Wheatstone Ledgers Link: www.horniman.info/WNCMARC/C104A/PAGES/C1P0660S.HTM

Region of Manufacture: London

Main Maker's Label Wording: "By his Majesty's Letters Patent, C Wheatstone, Inventor, 20 Conduit Street, Regent Street, London", (with the "C" under "mAj" variant)

System Type: 48-Key Treble English system

Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-030.

Maker Details

Wheatstone & Co. were founded in 1824, and survived until 1974. In 1975 the company was refounded by Steve Dickinson.

C. Wheatstone & Co was established in London, England by Charles Wheatstone (uncle to Sir Charles and William Dolman Wheatstone) at the beginning of the 19th Century. They moved to 20 Conduit Street, London, England in 1824. After the death of William in 1862, the firm was taken over by Edward Chidley, a distant relation. Edward Chidley died in 1899, and the firm was then controlled by his sons Edward and Percy. In 1905 the firm moved to 15 West Street.

After the death of the younger Edward Chidley in 1943, part of the firm was sold to Besson & Co., who were taken over by Boosey & Hawkes in 1948. In 1958 they moved to Duncan Terrace, Islington, North London. In 1961 the Duncan Terrace property was sold, and the remains of Wheatstone & Co. were moved to the Boosey & Hawkes factory in Edgware, Middlesex. The company ceased trading on the death of its last employee in 1974.

The remains of the company were purchased by Steve Dickinson in 1975.

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The Concertina Museum Collection

Created August 2009 by Neil Wayne
Last Modified 07 February 2012 by Neil Wayne, Chris Flint, Wes Williams

This page created Tuesday 14 February 2012.