A rare Wheatstone Symphonium, No.43, having thirteen ivory buttons and an ivory mouthpiece, engraved on the front C.Wheatstone, Inventor, with decorative engraved scrolling support, height - 2in.(6.1cm).

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A rare Wheatstone Symphonium, No.43, having thirteen ivory buttons and an ivory mouthpiece, engraved on the front C.Wheatstone, Inventor, with decorative engraved scrolling support, height - 2in.(6.1cm).
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Lot Essay

In 1825 Charles Wheatstone (1802-75) constructed a mouth organ with free reeds governed by a small button keyboard which he patented in 1829 under the name Symphonium. Further experiments led to the bellows-blown concertina patented in 1844. G.Romani, Ivor Reynon, The new Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments

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