412.132-62 Sets of free reeds with flexible air reservoir

Concertina built to just intonation. English system concertina. Serial number 1320. Oval paper label: 'By His Majesty's Letters Patent, C. Wheatstone, Inventor, 20 Conduit St., Regent St., London.' Rosewood ends built to standard width: 6.25 inches between parallel sides. Pine backing behind the fretwork. 48 ivory buttons, black accidentals, stamped with note names, bushed. Green leather straps with nickel screws. Four-fold green leather bellows with gold star papers, one paper labelled: 'Just.' Three nickel fittings on left-hand end frames. Square-end brass reeds with circular paper reed pan label. Hexagonal rosewood case.

The following information is recorded regarding the purchase of this instrument in the ledgers of the Wheatstone & Co. concertina factory (http://www.horniman.info): 10 Sep 1847: AJ Ellis (C104a, p.67) 17 Feb 1855: Messrs Boosey (C1049, p.45). The first purchaser of this instrument appears to have been Alexander J. Ellis (1814-1890), inventor of the cents system and author of the paper 'On the Musical Scales of Various Nations'. As indicated by the paper label on the bellows, this instrument was tuned to 'just' intonation, rather than the more conventional equal temperament used today, and demonstrates his awareness of the difference between these scales. It was perhaps even made specially to order. This instrument had a second famous buyer: Messrs Boosey, of the musical instruments company.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
M114a-1996
Date
1847
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 152 x 161 x 184 mm
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
LOCATION
In storage
SHAREABLE LINK

Continue exploring musical instruments

Collection Information

These objects are only a part of our collections, of which there are more than 350,000 objects. This information comes from our collections database. Some of this is incomplete and there may be errors. This part of the website is also still under construction, so there may be some fields repeated or incorrectly formatted information.

The database retains language taken from historical documents to help research. Please note that some records may feature language and reflect systems of thinking that are outdated and offensive. The database also includes information on objects that are considered secret or sacred by some communities.

If you have any further information about objects in our collections, can suggest corrections to our information or if you see content requiring immediate action, please contact us: enquiry@horniman.ac.uk