Concertina

Unique prototype foot treadle-powered concertina, the only model made to accompany the 1844 patent of Charles Wheatstone. Two separate English-system keyboards mounted on individual bellows, set on a tripod and operated by a treadle which elevates and inflates the bellows assembly. Solid rosewood ends, 11.75x5.5in/298x140mm; rectangular fretwork arrays with pine backing boards. Air slit below the keys. The deep end frames are each hinged to the tripod top and secured with a catch. 42 domed ivory buttons: 21 each side, 15 absent left-hand, 3 absent right-hand. The flat bases of the buttons seat into bushed holes with a coiled spring beneath. Nickel reeds in square end beds, on a shallow reed pan screwed under the action board. 3-fold leather-edged bellows, patterned papers, both steadied by a brass rod sliding up and down in a guide. The whole is mounted on an octagonal column, rosewood veneered and purfled with two remaining tripod feet, and the catgut thong which works the bellows. Labelled internally: 'left' and 'right', with the note name stamped adjacent to each pallet. No serial number. This tripod model was patented in 1844.