Historical information

Louis Lachenal manufactured concertinas for C Wheatstone & Co. from around 1848-1858 in a combined home and manufactory in Cheswick, England. He then establish up his own business 'Lachenal's' at 8 Little James Street in London. In 1863 the firm began advertising both 'Anglo and English concertinas, which were more expensive.

Lachenal passed away in 1861, so his wife Elizabeth took over the business. The firm was sold to a group of five businessmen in about 1873 and in 1874 the firm became ‘Lachenal & Co.’ A Trade Mark application was made by Richard Ballinger on behalf of Lachenal & Co. on 31st August 1878 and the Number 19,555 was published in the Trade Mark Journal January 8, 1879. The symbol was an English-style reed-shoe with the words 'Trade Mark' and 'English Make'. It was stamped on the right-hand rail (handle) of the Lachenal Anglos, to distinguish them from the German-made ones. It seems that the company ceased business in 1933.

Significance

This concertina, made in the late 19th to early 20th century, represents the portable musical entertainment of the early settlers in the colony of Australia.

Physical description

Concertina, six sided, 21 buttons, with fitted case. Wooden ends have carved cut-outs and leather straps attached to brass buttons. Five-fold bellows have light coloured sides with reinforced edges and corners. Constructed with steel reeds and bone key-buttons. Wooden, black fabric-covered hexagonal case with triangular metal catch, two brass hinges, leather handle and faded red lining. Inscriptions on label inside lid and on wooden ends of bellows. Lachenal, Anglo design, made by Lachenal & Co. of London.

Inscriptions & markings

Label within oval cut-out "LACHENAL & Co / PATENT CONCERTINA / MANUFACTURERS / LONDON",
Label inside lid " - CHENAL -",
Impressed into wood STEEL REEDS", "ENGLAND", "TRADE MARK ENGLISH MAKE [reed-shoe symbol]" ,
(originally marked with Number "98030" )