Concertina, English-style
Date1850-1854 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
Serial No.1111 (stamped on the end frames and action boards)
130 (or probably) 1130 (stamped on the reed pans)
1128 (stamped on the bellows frames)
3172 (single stamp on the exterior of the left-side end frame)
SignedNoneMarkingsInterior stamps:
- letters "R" and "L" stamped to indicate right- or left- sides, respectively;
DescriptionHexagonal shaped concertina of English style (double action: each button produces only one pitch regardless of the direction of the bellows), with a standard 48-key system.
Darkwood veneered end frames (probably ebony veneer), with handcut fretwork, and mother-of-pearl inlays in floral designs on the covers. Five-fold bellows in dark-green leather, with patterned papers in green and golden designs. Each side has 24 nickel-silver buttons, with silver flat tops, arranged in four straight rows.
Probable metal sheet finger rests, covered in black leather, and black leather thumb-straps with knurled nickel-silver strap-screws.
The style and pattern of the fretwork, the mother-of-pearl inlays, and bellows decoration are consistent with other extant George Case concertinas. The instrument has Case's riveted action mechanism with typical "keyhole"-shaped posts, and levers made of brass wire with a flattened pivot point. Standard radial, double-reed pan, with brass reeds, white leather valves, and pale chamois gasketry. Missing fret baffle and maker's label. No air valve.
The various serial numbers stamped on the instrument are also consistent with what happens in other instruments and there is a general acceptance that matching serial numbers in Case's instruments was something done in a somewhat trivial manner.
George Tinkler Case (1823-1892) was an accomplished and popular concertina player and professor in social London of the 1850s. He also performed on violin and piano. He became a prolific composer-arranger of music for the concertina and wrote English concertina instruction manuals. Case initiated his maker career in 1849 with the purchase of London concertina maker Joseph Scates's business, but his “solo making” period was a short one. In 1854 he sold out to Boosey & Sons (later Boosey & Co.) and retained only a “nominal” interest, having his name still featured on the instrument's labels. Boosey produced “George Case” concertinas up to 1864.
While being considered one of the “minor” makers, Case contributed immensely to the history and recognition of the English concertina during the first half-century of its existence. He was one of the three makers who displayed their concertinas at the Great Exhibition of 1851. His second marriage to the actress and variety performer Grace Egerton (née Elizabeth Grace Cruft) also became a professional relationship that joined both their performance careers and boosted their reputation during the 1860s. Of note, their many travels, tours, and performances throughout the British provinces surely bolstered the expanding popularity of the English concertina.
DimensionsFrame width: 180mm
Length of body closed: 130mm
ProvenanceCurtis Teague received this instrument from his friend, now-deceased Ben Crabtree, who was an executive for different major money investment firms throughout his life. Crabtree would pick up musical instruments in his many travels.
Published ReferencesSilva, Ana Sofia. "An English Concertina by George Case." _NMM Newsletter_46, no. 3 (Fall 2022): 6.
Credit LineGift of Curtis Teague and Loretta Simonet, 2021
Object number15654
On View
Not on view
