Item Type: Concertina
SummaryFull Description: 32-Key English system concertina with unique and very basic drilled frets, from the Nickolds workshops, No 193, with the "Nickolds Bros, 5 Woodbridge Street" label. The nickel-tongued Reeds have the unusual open-sided tongue-securing cross pieces, in common usage on Nickolds instruments. Its trio of end-securing screws are broad-shafted brass (not blued steel), and frets and action are number-stamped or stamped with 'L' or 'R' (with the "R" reversed!), and the inner face of the fret-baffle has "R" scribbled in pencil, and a stamped "3". The inner face of the action boards, and the inner face of the pans - are stamped "Nickolds London". The bellows papers have common "Gilt crosses and dots" papers. Original mahogany case. Concertina Summary: 32-Key English system concertina with unique and very basic drilled frets, from the Nickolds workshops, No 193, with the "Nickolds Bros, 5 Woodbridge Street" label. label. Ivory keys, green leather bellows, pine board sub-fret baffles. Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper Maker: Nickolds Maker Links: Wes Williams' survey of minor concertina makers has an entry about Nickolds Bros here: [www.concertinas.org.uk/others.htm#nickolds], and Richard Carlin's interview with Frank Butler has much information about Austin, George Jones, and other early Wheatstone craftsmen who went on to become makers see: [http://www.concertina.com/carlin/frank-butler-interview/index.htm]. Region of Manufacture: London Main Maker's Label Wording: "Improved Concertina Manufacturers, Nickolds Bros, 5 Woodbridge Street, Clerkenwell, London". System Type: 32-Key Treble English system Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:D-273. |
Maker DetailsThe Nickolds Family produced concertinas from around 1855 to 1888. John Nickolds (b.1787 in Birmingham) was the toolmaker for Wheatstone with his own company at 5, Woodbridge St, Clerkenwell, and was replaced by Lachenal in 1848. He had two sons, Frederick Charles and Thomas, also involved with Wheatstone. The earliest listing discovered for any of the Nickolds family as a concertina maker appears in 1856; in 1851 John is listed as a 'machinist'. Nickolds Bros are listed as operating from Woodbridge St. between 1856 and 1859. However in 1856 the brothers are also listed individually as: F.C. Nickolds' company closed about 1888. Their sequence was:
Thomas Nickolds does not appear in any further listings, but is recorded in the 1881 census as a concertina maker, widowed and lodging in Newington. One particular characteristic of Nickolds instruments is that the screw holes of the plate that fastens the reed to the shoe are open ended. Listings for Nickolds Bros. in the 1920s in Enfield, Middlesex are for descendants of the same family. |
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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.