George Jones 16 button C/G Anglo  #16340 circa 1885 

Click on photos to enlarge

 

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

    Make a Free Website with Yola.