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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: C Wheatstone No 55561. A rare Wheatstone 53-Key "Bandoneon" of large hexagonal form, RH: 28 keys plus air-button, LH: 24 Keys. This model is one of two made in April 1953, for the export market - probably for US Chemnitzer players. It has inset & flat chrome plated metal ends and the scalloped Wheatstone & Co labels and Number mounts inset to the chromed ends, and large diameter nickel-capped wooden keys in an extended three-row "Anglo" layout. It has immense 18-Fold black leather bellows, The blued-steel reeds are in round-ended brass reed-frames with two smaller sized steel screws securing the tongues. The action board has been painted red, and a modified air-valve fitted. Only the Batch Number is stamped upon internal parts, with "119" on the sub-fret baffle mount, and under the metal frets.
Concertina Summary: C Wheatstone No 55561. A rare Wheatstone 53-Key "Bandoneon" of large hexagonal form. This model is one of two made in April 1953, probably for the export market. It has inset & flat chrome plated metal ends and the scalloped Wheatstone & Co labels and Number mounts. The blued-steel reeds are in round-ended brass reed-frames with two smaller sized steel screws securing the tongues. Only the Batch Number is stamped upon internal parts.
Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper
Maker: C Wheatstone
Maker Links: Concertina, Charles Wheatstone No 55561 http://www.concertina.com/wheatstone/index.htm
Wheatstone Ledgers Link: www.horniman.info/DKNSARC/SD04/PAGES/D4P0030S.HTM This instrument was one of two "Bandoneon" instruments made in on April 30th 1953, well after manufacturing was resumed after the Second World War. It appears in the Dickinson Series of Wheatstone Ledgers that list all instruments from Serial Number 25001, made in May 1910, right up to the closure of the Wheatstone section of Boosey & Hawkes' Edgware factory in January 1974. For details of these Ledgers, visit www.horniman.info/.
Region of Manufacture: London
Main Maker's Label Wording: The later style of scalloped black-on-metal "West Street" Wheatstone labelling (introduced from the 1930s), is pinned to recesses on the large chrome plated ends, "Manufacturers C. Wheatstone & Co, London". The LH end has a similar label, with the Serial Number stamped into a central un-painted rectangular area, with the labelling "Wheatstone" and "Made in England" above and below the number area.
Principal Serial Number: 55561. The LH end has the later 1930s-style scalloped black-on-metal "West Street" label, with the Serial Number stamped into a central un-painted rectangular area, with the labelling "C Wheatstone" and "Made in England" above and below the number area. Other parts only have the "Batch Number" of the instrument, in this case "60".
System Type: Wheatstone 53-Key "Bandoneon" with extended three-row Anglo layout.
Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-085.
