The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-240.



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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: Rock Chidley 48-Key rosewood-ended English concertina, Serial No 3881. Fancy fret-pattern, with Pearl fret corner inlays, silver-capped keys, ornate silver-capped thumbstrap screws. Later "C Wheatstone & Co" label with "15 West Street" address wording. The instrument shows another appearance in the Collection of gilt-stamped bellows-frame leather, and the continued use of bevelled edges on the fretwork of the ends. Serial No 3881, with original rosewood-veneered case. The case contain an envelope from Harry Minting (West Wickham, Kent), with a hand-annotated Wheatstone Price list, and infomation from the vendor stating that his grandfather bought it in Kent before the 2nd World War.

Concertina Summary: Rock Chidley 48-Key rosewood-ended English concertina, Serial No 3881. Pearl fret corner inlays, silver-capped keys, ornate silver-capped thumb-straps. Later "C Wheatstone & Co" label with "15 West Street" address wording. The instrument shows another appearance in the Collection of gilt-stamped bellows-frame leather, and the continued use of bevelled edges on the fretwork of the ends. Serial No 3881, with original rosewood-veneered case.

Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper

Maker: Rock Chidley

Maker Links: The most detailed source of information on the genealogy of the Chidleys, and the premises, manufacturing and marketing of Rock Chidley instruments is Chris Flint's paper at: www.scatesconcertinas.com/rock-chidley-concertina-maker.html. A good survey by Wes Williams of Rock and Edward Chidley's various addresses and some noted instruments is at: www.concertinas.org.uk/others.htm#Chidley

Region of Manufacture: London

Main Maker's Label Wording: A later "C Wheatstone & Co Manufacturers, 15, West St. Charing X Rd. LONDON. W.C." oval paper indicating a repair or re-tuning visit to the Wheatstone premises, when the silver thumb-strap metals and later thumb-straps may have been added.

System Type: 48-Key Treble English system

Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-240.






Maker Details

Rock Chidley produced concertinas from about 1850 to 1868.

Rock Chidley and younger brother Edward Chidley both worked for Wheatstone. They were distantly related to Charles and William Wheatstone via shared Barnwood, Gloucestershire ancestors.

Rock Chidley produced the often featured ivory ended instrument for Wheatstone in 1848, left Wheatstone sometime around 1850 with his brother Edward, and set up at 135 High Holborn,London near New Oxford St., their father's house. They exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In 1856 they are listed as having further factory premises at Hollingworth Street North, & Wellington Street, St. James's Road, Holloway.

Rock Chidley expanded his business interests into property and a sawmill, but ran into financial trouble in 1862 when he became bankrupt. After another bankruptcy in 1868, the concertina business disappears from listings.

Edward Chidley seems to have made some concertinas in his own name, and is independently listed from 1861 to 1870 at 28 Store St, Bedford Sq. He began producing concertinas for Wheatstone about 1866, taking control of the firm soon after. By 1870 Edward is listed as an Importer and Maker of Harmoniums and Concertinas at Wheatstone's address.


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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.