From Chris Algar’s Archives

Contributions to the Concertina Library by Chris Algar.

Wheatstone English Concertina Pricelists
collected by Chris Algar: Most of these pricelists were found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is possible to date the lists c. 1915 to c. 1965 (plus one very early pricelist dated 1848, from the collection of the Horniman Museum, and a list published as an advertisement in a trade directory in 1859). These lists contain information about Wheatstone model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers. See also Duet pricelists from Wheatstone. See also Anglo pricelists from Wheatstone.; Posted 15 May 2003; » go to directory

Wheatstone Duet Concertina Pricelists
collected by Chris Algar: Most of these pricelists were found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is possible to date the lists c. 1910 to c. 1965 (plus one very early pricelist for Double duets c. 1850). These lists contain information about Wheatstone model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers. See also English pricelists from Wheatstone. See also Anglo pricelists from Wheatstone.; Posted 15 February 2003; » go to directory

Wheatstone Anglo Concertina Pricelists
collected by Chris Algar: Most of these pricelists were found in old concertina cases. From internal evidence it is possible to date the lists c. 1910 to c. 1965. These lists contain information about Wheatstone model numbers and descriptions which are useful to interpret the Wheatstone Concertina Ledgers. See also English pricelists from Wheatstone. See also Duet pricelists from Wheatstone.; Posted 15 February 2003; » go to directory

Lachenal Concertina Pricelists
collected by Chris Algar: Most of the earlier "pricelists" here were printed as trade advertisements, in dated serials. Those actually issued as separate pricelists were found in old concertina cases; from internal evidence it is possible to date these c. 1890 to c. 1925.; Posted 07 March 2005; » go to directory

J. J. Vickers Concertinas Pricelist circa 1935
collected by Chris Algar: Dealer's pricelist from J. J. Vickers listing models and prices for English, Duet, and Anglo concertinas, including instruments made by C. Wheatstone & Co., Lachenal & Co., Jeffries, Jones, Shakespeare, Case, Chidley, Crane, and Crabb. Dated c. 1935 by internal evidence.; Posted 07 March 2005; » read full document in pdf

Hayden Concertinas Pricelist circa 1985
collected by Chris Algar: Hayden Concertinas list of models and prices for Hayden System Duet concertinas made by C. Wheatstone & Co. Dated c. 1985 by internal evidence.; Posted 07 March 2005; » read full document in pdf

Charles Jeffries: the Man and His Family
by Chris Algar, Stephen Chambers, Robert Gaskins, David Lee, Randall C. Merris, and Wes Williams: New information about Charles Jeffries and all of his family that participated in the concertina making business. Contains the first known pictures of Charles and Mary Ann Jeffries, and reproductions of birth, marriage, and death certificates where known. Summary table of Jeffries descendants. Brief descriptions of the addresses where Charles Jeffries lived and worked, with maps of the Praed Street area, White Lion Passage, and the Kilburn area. Based on information from members of the Jeffries family.; Posted 15 November 2005; » read full article

A Practical and Comprehensive Tutor for the Duet Concertina
by Ernest Rutterford: The tutor for the Maccann Duet concertina which was published and sold by Wheatstone over a very long period. It does not contain the name "Maccann," but refers only to the Wheatstone Duet. (Wheatstone's Instructions for the Duet Concertina.) 4th ed. London: undated (1930's?). From an original owned by Chris Algar. 56 pages.; Posted 15 November 2001; » read full article in pdf

Concertina Tutor List
by Lachenal & Co.: A single page from Lachenal & Co. including “Instruction Book for the Duet Concertina, by Professor Maccann” offered at 2 shillings. Collected by Chris Algar.; Posted 15 February 2003; » read entire document in pdf

Fingering Systems of the “Wheatstone” Concertina
by C. Wheatstone & Co.: A leaflet showing the four concertina systems made by Wheatstone in the late 1950s: English, Anglo, Chidley duet, and Crane/Triumph duet. As was Wheatstone’s invariable practise, the Chidley system is called simply the “Wheatstone Duet” (as the Maccann system had also been styled previously), and there is no mention of the fact that the keyboard layout has been changed—apart from the evidence of the keyboard diagram. The printing is apparently before 1956, but this copy was issued with overstamping dating from at least 1959. Collected by Chris Algar.; Posted 15 February 2003; » read full document in pdf

Barleycorn Concertinas
by Chris Algar: Barleycorn is a widely-trusted source to buy concertinas—Anglo, English, or Duet. Chris Algar has been in business for over 25 years, and has delivered many thousands of fully-restored vintage instruments. He numbers most serious concertinists worldwide among his regular customers, but also offers reliable buying advice to beginners, using email and export couriers for global delivery on approval. The site includes samples from his archives of historical documents.; Search Barleycorn Concertinas powered by Microsoft; Posted 15 November 2001; » go to website

Do you know another resource that we should include? Tell us about it.

Chris Algar, longtime collector
of concertina-related archives

Chris Algar: From Chris Algar’s Archives