Concertina Delight

Subject: Concertina Delight
From: MikeL2
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 03:44 PM

hi

I know that there are a large number of concertina players here.

I spotted this program on TV yesterday where the Flof It program covered the auction of some old and interresting musical items.

They auctioned off a Wheatstone concertina that an old lady fouind somewhere in her home that had not seen the light of day for some years.

I won't spoil the interest by disclosing how ther bidding went. You can watch it for yourselves at...
.Wheatstone Concertina

They also auction off a Hofner Base Guitar.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: treewind
Date: 01 Dec 10 - 04:11 PM

A 1914 Wheatstone Aeola is an absolute bargain at the price that went for. Even if it needed a full reedwork and action overhaul (which it probably did) you could still sell it at a profit, but I hope the new owner is going to play it!

Wheatstone's instruments improved over the years as he refined and perfected the design, but 1914 was the peak because after the first World War there was nobody left to make them and nobody had the money to buy them with, and after that the cheaper makers cornered the market.

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 06:14 AM

hi
Treewind

Although I know next to nothing about concertinas I suspected that this was a real bargain to anyone knowledgeable about these instruments.

On the same program the Hofner bass went for what I believe was a bargain price andi in previous programs previous programs I have seen guitars go for really low prices.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: maeve
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 08:56 AM

I wish I could see the auction here. Too bad the BBC won't allow it.

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 09:03 AM

Have to agree with Anahata re the value....But who on earth was the so-called expert??? 800 quid? Numbskull! As for the patronising way the presenter dealt with the owners.
One day I would so like to see someone like Steve Dickinson turn up at one of these roadshows, with a Jeffries or a Crabb! Now that would be funny!

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 09:16 AM

hi ralphie

I agree with you up to a point....

The "expert" was not a music specialist and part of the interest of the program is to see how the item fares against the forecasted figure.

The other point I would make is that very often in auctions the sale price bears little resmemblance to the actual value. It depends upon there being enough people interested to did the price up.

But I do agree that the poor (?) lady that was advised to sell with only a £800 reserve ( and that had been adjusted above the original eastimate) would have been badly done by if there hadn't have been so much interest in it.

I have been to a few antiques sales over the years and seen some superb instruments go for very cheap prices.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: treewind
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 02:43 PM

I sort of assumed that the "expert" he consulted to date the instrument from the serial number was Steve Dickinson, but I suppose he could have gone straight to the Archives on the Horniman Museum web site.

Mary just checked her best instrument against the same ledgers, and it turns out it was made only a month later than the one on the telly!

Anahata

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 02 Dec 10 - 03:57 PM

Mike L.
Understood, and appreciated.
Just let me know where these auctions are....I could do with the cash!
Regards

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: MikeL2
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 03:18 PM

hi ralphie

As I said the auctions I went to have been spread over several years now.

The were all in the NW England. The places I most go to are at Altrincham - Knutsford - Wilmslow - Congleton - Macclesfield etc etc .

I will add that none of these are music auctions specifically. You just take pot luck.

I will also add that unfortunately I never took any advantage of buying any good instruments cos I just couldn't afford them, added to the fact that I am happy with the ones I have already.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: GUEST,schlimmerkerl
Date: 03 Dec 10 - 04:29 PM

My ex still has the Crabb Model 4E concertina i got for her in 1986-87. I paid US$ 1400 and change. In the days before the internet, i had to send a bank draft in pounds sterling for an additional $12. I also have all the original correspondence, receipts, etc.— including letters signed by H. N. Crabb. Wonder what it's worth today. . .

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: GUEST,Ralphie
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 03:46 AM

Hi schlimm...
Not an expert in Crabbs, cut if you want to prse a valuation for yours, It's well worth a visit to "Concertina.net",
Some very knowledgable and friendly people there...Even Geoff Crabb himself pops in occasionally, and the knowledge he has of the family firm is immense!
(You never know, he might have had a hand in making yours!)

Subject: RE: Concertina Delight
From: GUEST,schlimmerkerl
Date: 04 Dec 10 - 11:53 AM

Right, i'm familiar with them-- so i'll check. Thanks.