Last night while we were playing an aquaintance of Paul Curran (see mudcat photos under my name) came in to the Blarney and handed Paul a box.

In it was a Wheatsone 40 button accordian in absolutely pristine condition apart from slight damage to a hand strap and one name plate missing. The leather and wood are almost unmarked and the papers between the bellows have slight wear. It is alo in tune even though it has not been played for many years.

The end plates are in good condition, no rusting, the buttons appear to be ivory. I counted 30 buttons, 15 each side plus a vent and drone(?).

Apparently it was left in a bar in Shanghai about 8 years ago and never re-claimed, the owner knows Paul and decided he would be a better owner rather than it sitting in its box. prior to that it was in the US, we know that as there was a receipt in the box dated 1989 saying that the previous owner had bought it for $600.

We are now trying to put a date on it. I have checked on-line and see that Wheatstone patented his system in 1844.

I only know of him as a scientist who developed theories on electricity. I did not know he had set up a factory to make accordians.

Can anyone tell me until which date these were made in London?

Any idea of the value today?

I have checked Accordian Links

and there is some good info there. Does anyone have more info on Wheatstone?

Paul intends to learn to play this instrument.