Maker: Crabb

Fretted wooden ends with steel reeds with duralium reed frames. Lovely player with gentle tone. Lowest note is D#2.

This concertina appeared at auction in 2014. The following comments are from Geoff Crabb – There should be no doubt that it is of Crabb manufacture and if inscribed J Crabb & Son either on the single cartouche (right side) or inside, then it would have been made between 1896 (Butterworth Patent date) and 1908 (business name changed to H Crabb). A four digit internal ID number, if present, would indicate the actual date from the records. In comparison with Crane models available from other makers at this time, this may have been one of the earliest examples, if not the earliest, with this number of keys (60 + wind key). It will be seen that the Crabb narrow chevron layout of the keys, which differed from the Butterworth/Lachenal wider curved arrangement, was already being employed. The number of keys, the presence of the left side odd outrigger key and thumb key, the elaborate fretwork and gilded bellows suggest that, like all Crabb Crane duets above 55 keys, the instrument would have been built to meet an individual customers requirement. Whilst many Crabb Crane Duets do exist, it is extremely rare to come across one with the J Crabb name.

Made by Geoff Crabb, this is probably the only 16 sided instrument ever made.

Made in 1950 by Henry Crabb for his own use, with additional buttons outside the normal layout (see photos). Eight-sided, with aluminium ends, and eight-fold bellows.

Duralumin ends and levers, 8-fold bellows. Year of manufacture verified by Geoff Crabb. This concertina was owned by the late Cathy Scott, who played in the North London Concertina Band, which was run by Harry Crabb from around 1960 onward. Harry, Ivy, Neville and Geoffrey Crabb were all in the band, along with such luminaries as Tommy Williams.

Built by Henry Joseph Crabb in 1947, this is a 67 button instrument. It has raised, plated nickel tops, nickel silver keys and an 8 fold bellows. It has long scale reeds therefore measures 10 inches across the flats and the range is down to G below mid C on the right, the left being an octave lower fully down to F.

Aluminium alloy ends, metal buttons, 8-fold bellows. Extra notes on left are a low Bb and a low Fnat. on thumb key. Extra notes on right are Bnat at bottom of middle row, Bb and Anat little finger keys.

Made by Henry Crabb. Octagonal, metal ends, metal buttons, 8 fold bellows. Dated by Geoff Crabb to 10th Sept 1941, the last instrument to be made until Oct 1943 due to the war.

Built by Henry Thomas Crabb in 1928, this is a 70 button, with two novelty buttons, one a whistle, the other a cock crow, which has since been replaced by an extra note. It has raised, plated metal tops, nickel silver keys and an 8 fold bellows. It measures nine inches across the flats and the range is down to G below mid C on the right, the left being an octave lower fully down to F. It is a very rare model in that the metal tops are inset at the edges with an ebony bevel. Only about six Crabb instruments were ever made like this.