Item Type: Concertina
SummaryFull Description: A simple 26-key grained mahogany ended English concertina, No 2376, with two different Nickolds labels, one atop the other. The reeds have the unusual open-sided tongue-securing cross pieces, in common usage on Nickolds instruments. Another appearance of the Nickolds fret pattern with the trefoil feature in the lower section of the frets. Its trio of end-securing screws are broad profiled steel, and neither pans, nor bellows are number-stamped or stamped with 'L' or 'R', though the inner face of the action board has the stamped Serial No 2376. The bellows papers have unusual "6-point star-and-dots" papers. Later home made hexagonal case. Concertina Summary: 26-Key English system concertina by Nickolds Bros, No 2376, with two different Nickolds labels, one atop the other. Ivory keys, green leather bellows, pine board sub-fret baffles. Home-made hexagonal case. Owner or Collection: Concertina Museum, Belper Maker: Nickolds Maker Links: Wes Williams' survey of minor concertina makers has an entry about Nickolds here: www.concertinas.org.uk/others.htm#nickolds, and Richard Carlin's interview with Frank Butler has much information about Austin, George Jones, and other early Wheatstone craftsmen who went on to become makers see: http://www.concertina.com/carlin/frank-butler-interview/index.htm. Region of Manufacture: London Main Maker's Label Wording: Two different Nickolds labels, one atop the other: Top: "Latest Improved Concertina from Nickolds Bros Manufacturers, London" glued atop lower label " Improved Concertina Manufacturers Nickold Bros., 5 Woodbridge Street Clerkenwell, London". System Type: 26-Key Treble English system Source Catalogue No: The Concertina Museum Collection Ref:C-275. |
Maker DetailsThe Nickolds Family produced concertinas from around 1855 to 1888. John Nickolds (b.1787 in Birmingham) was the toolmaker for Wheatstone with his own company at 5, Woodbridge St, Clerkenwell, and was replaced by Lachenal in 1848. He had two sons, Frederick Charles and Thomas, also involved with Wheatstone. The earliest listing discovered for any of the Nickolds family as a concertina maker appears in 1856; in 1851 John is listed as a 'machinist'. Nickolds Bros are listed as operating from Woodbridge St. between 1856 and 1859. However in 1856 the brothers are also listed individually as: F.C. Nickolds' company closed about 1888. Their sequence was:
Thomas Nickolds does not appear in any further listings, but is recorded in the 1881 census as a concertina maker, widowed and lodging in Newington. One particular characteristic of Nickolds instruments is that the screw holes of the plate that fastens the reed to the shoe are open ended. Listings for Nickolds Bros. in the 1920s in Enfield, Middlesex are for descendants of the same family. |
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Created August 2009 by Neil Wayne
Last Modified 07 February 2012 by Neil Wayne, Chris Flint, Wes Williams
This page created Tuesday 14 February 2012.