Item Type: Concertina
SummaryFull Description: An 1844 period 48-key Rosewood-ended Wheatstone English system, with all of the additional features showing the final stages of the progression to what may be called the "Standard" Wheatstone design. Many repairers' labels, Square-end nickel reeds, Straps absent, one strap metal remaining. The case contains a note, probably in Harry Minting's hand, saying "No 728, C Wheatstone & Co, 48 key treble concertina" plus an owner's handwritten fingering chart. Concertina Summary: Charles Wheatstone No 728 (No 727 on Bellows and Pans), with "His Maj.." Label, in the ("C" under "mAj" variant). Number absent from Ledgers, but mid-1844 sale date likely. Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper Maker: C Wheatstone Wheatstone Ledgers Link: www.horniman.info/WNCMARC/C104A/IMAGES/C1P0380D.JPG Region of Manufacture: London Main Maker's Label Wording: By his Majesty's Letters Patent, C Wheatstone, Inventor, 20 Conduit Street, Regent Street, London ("C" under "mAj" variant). System Type: 48-Key English Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-020. |
Maker DetailsWheatstone & 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. |
Previous | Section Summary | Help | Next |
Please email comments or reports of errors to
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.