The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-363.



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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: A Simpson 55-Key, ebony-ended English concertina, no Serial Number or label. The ebony-veneered ends have fancy brass corner inserts, and original thumb-straps and engraved strap-screws. Round-end brass reeds & tongues, with large reed-tongue securing screws.The instrument has glass keys with ivory base cups, in an unusual 55-key layout. There are double-sided reed-pans, with traces of an internal baffle being glued to the inner face or each pan. There is no evidence of fret baffles, the thumb-straps are original, and the reeds have unusually large reed-tongue securing screws. No case. The instrument does have some unique features, (but no serial number) but it is likely that some of the parts, and indeed the contruction, may have involved the Wheatstone manufactory at Conduit Street.

Concertina Summary: A Simpson 55-Key, ebony-ended English concertina, no Serial Number or label.

Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper

Maker: Simpson, London.

Maker Links: Wes Williams' survey of minor concertina makers has an entry about Simpson here. Wes Williams notes that ""Simpson appears many times in the earliest Wheatstone records. It seems that he stopped buying from Wheatstone sometime between Spring 1848 and January 1851, so it may be possible to narrow the date of instruments that contain Wheatstone or non-Wheatstone features".

Region of Manufacture: London

Main Maker's Label Wording: None.

Principal Serial Number: None.

System Type: 55-Key Treble English system.

Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-363.






Maker Details

John Simpson was a dealer who was in business about 1826 to 1879.

Simpson started in business in 1826 at 260 Regent St. From 1830 to 1872 his address was 266 Regent St, and from the mid 1850s he published concertina related items. In 1869 he took up a partnership with Weippert, which lasted until about 1872. In 1874 he is listed at 14 Argyle St., and from 1876 to 1879 at 32 Argyle St.


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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.