John Hill Maccann

Contributions to the Concertina Library dealing with John Hill Maccann.

Improvements in Concertinas (1884)
by John Hill Maccann: British Patent No. 4752 of 1884, Provisional Specification (12 March 1884) and Complete Specification (18 November 1884) with two figures. 4 pages. The one and only patent dealing with the Maccann Duet concertina. Maccann's invention creates a fully chromatic Duet (capable of playing in all key signatures) based on the older diatonic Wheatstone “duett” system.; Posted 15 November 2001; » read full document in pdf

New Method of Instructions for the New Chromatic Duet English Concertina ... &c.
by John Hill Maccann: Maccann’s own tutor, first published 1885 by Lachenal. Cover reads in part: "New Method of Instructions for the New Chromatic Duet English Concertina, with separate diagrams of keyboards and full instructions of proper fingering, so arranged that without a knowledge of music the instrument can be easily mastered ... Suitable for the 39, 47, or 56 Keyed Instrument. By J. H. Maccann, (Professor of the Duet English Concertina)." First edition, London: Lachenal & Co., 1885. 43 pages. Trim size 10 inches by 13 inches. Updated 01 July 2003: Fourth edition (date unknown), the cover of which reads in part "Suitable for the 39, 46 or 55 Keyed Instrument." 4th Edition. 43 pages. This copy was provided by Bradley Strauchen, Deputy Keeper of Musical Instruments at the Horniman Museum.; Posted 15 February 2003; last updated 01 July 2003; » (1st ed.) read full document in pdf; » (4th ed.) read full document in pdf

The Concertinist's Guide
by John Hill Maccann: The Most Simple Modern Methods; How to Play Correctly, With or Without a Tutor 8vo. London: Howard & Co., 1888. Images from a microfilm of a copy at the Bodleian Library, replacing a British Library copy destroyed in World War II. (Former British Library shelfmark D-7808.c.14.(14.), replaced by British Library microfilm Mic.A. 10532(4), Bodleian Shelfmark 17426 e 3(2).) Also a full transcription which is searchable in the Adobe PDF reader. 50 pages.; Posted 15 November 2001; » read full document in pdf

How to Play the Concertina
by John Hill Maccann: A newly-discovered booklet, reliably dated to 1902. The text of the document consists of two parts: (1) a part of the "how to play" text from Maccann's earlier publication The Concertinist's Guide (1888); and (2) an interview with Professor Maccann reprinted from The Era theatrical newspaper of London, issue of 25 January 1902. In addition to the text, the booklet contains some new photographs of Maccann, including the first known photographs of him playing the concertina. There is a sample program of a recital by Maccann, a list of phonograph records for sale recorded by Maccann, and a catalogue of some of Maccann's published music compositions. This copy was discovered in the National Archives of Australia, where it had been deposited for copyright registration.; Posted 27 September 2004; » read article and full document; » read full document in pdf (medium quality); » read full document in pdf (higher quality)

Prof. Maccann’s North American Tour (1890–1891)
by Robert Gaskins: Newspaper theatrical notices from the Brooklyn (New York) Daily Eagle describe John Hill Maccann’s appearances at Hyde and Behman’s Variety Theater, Brooklyn, in November 1890 and February 1891. Updated 22 December 2003: added a notice from the New York Times for 27 January 1891, during the same North American tour.; Posted 01 June 2003; » read full article

Professor Maccann: “America’s Champion Concertinist”
by Robert Gaskins: “PROFESSOR MACCANN, the celebrated concertinist, has brought back with him from America a fine medal, which became his property by a rival musician, Amducas Vestman, failing to meet the Professor in a concertina contest for the championship and $300. ...” From The Era newspaper, London, 2 May 1891.; Posted 01 June 2003; » read full article

Professor Maccann Performs in Plymouth
by Robert Gaskins: Extended review of a concert presented by Professor Maccann at the Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute “on an instrument which he has just patented,” from the Western Figaro newspaper, Plymouth, 27 February 1885.; Posted 01 July 2003; » read full article

Maccann Duet Concertinas
Directory: Concertina Library directory of all information on this website about Maccann Duet Concertinas.; Posted 01 January 2005; » go to directory

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Professor Maccann,
Soloist & Patentee of the
Improved Duet Concertina