George Jones 16 button C/G Anglo #16340 circa 1885
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Comments
Now this is strange and although it is risky to say it, a unique beast. Although based on what looks like a standard George Jones fretwork pattern, instead of having 20b, this concertina only has 16b. The good folk who inhabit concertina.net hadn't seen anything quite like this before, there doesn't seem to be an example in the Horniman collection and a 16b Anglo does not appear in any of the historical price lists that are online.
The layout seems to be based around C (red buttons in diagram) with plenty of accidentals allowing other keys to be played, albeit within a limited range. Perhaps this was a failed prototype or maybe built for a player with a strange collection of finger injuries / infirmities ? If you have other suggestions or theories, please let me know.
Historical context: 1885
First successful appendectomy performed by Dr. William W. Grant W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's The Mikado opens in London The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbour The Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first purpose-built car, is constructed. First skyscraper of 10 floors (Home Insurance Building) is built in Chicago
Features
keys: C ?
tuned to modern pitch: NO
reeds: brass & steel
ends: mahogany
bellows: 5 fold
general condition: unrestored
for sale: NO