Concertina, MacCann duet system.Serial number 4020. Dodecagonal. Seventy three buttons: 33 on left-hand side; 39 on right-hand side; and one air button. Buttons are chrome domed. Round-end steel reeds. Eight-fold black leather bellows. Left-hand strap is original with Lachenal gilt, right-hand strap has been added later. Straps are fixed on wooden hand bars with nickel screws and bone clamps. Very ornate chromed nickel fretwork, inset to ends. Serial number 4020. Engraved on the scroll label: The Edeophone Duet, Lachenal & Co, London WC.
The 12-sided 'Edeophone' concertina was first manufactured by the Lachenal company around 1890. Distinguished by its division of bass and treble notes between the left and right hands, the 'Duet' System allows one to play a melody and accompaniment at the same time – a duet. Charles Wheatstone's patent of 1844 shows evidence of his work on this model, but it was not until the system was further developed and patented in 1884 by John Hill Maccann of Plymouth, that it became successful. The Maccann 'Duet' system was first licensed for production to Lachenal and it was later adopted by the Wheatstone company. 'Duet' concertinas were favoured by London music-hall artists of the early 20th century, such as Percy Honri (1874-1953).
