Post office loses antique instrument

The Jeffries 38-button concertina, which is more than 100 years old, belongs to a professional touring musician based in Cork, Ireland. It is a rare item and would be highly valuable in the right circles.

Before Christmas, the concertina was sent to Uckfield to be repaired and maintained by Nutley-based Andrew Norman, one of the most respected instrument craftsmen in Britain. Mr Norman said: 'The Irish folk music scene is so vibrant, it's a very important part of their lives. About three-quarters of the concertinas I make and repair go to Ireland.'

When Mr Norman who trades as A C Norman and Co had finished his delicate repair work on the Irish instrument's bellows, he packaged it up and took it along to Uckfield post office.

The item was insured for the maximum allowed by Parcel Force, 2,500, and had its full postage to Cork paid for by Mr Norman. However, the much-loved instrument was never seen again.

'It's just about irreplaceable,' said Mr Norman. 'You can very occasionally find concertinas like this for sale, but this one was top-of-the-range and in superb condition.

'It would be a very difficult thing to sell without proper knowledge, so it's probably useless to whoever stole it. It would be a tragedy if someone just dumps it. If we get it back, there will be no questions asked.'

The concertina is hexagonal in shape and has metal ends, while the bellows are made of fancy decorated papers with gold tooling. The instrument is in an hexagonal leather case.

A Post Office spokesman said: 'We can confirm the Post Office Ltd security team is investigating the theft of an antique concertina from Uckfield post office.

'We have sent the owner a claim form and we appreciate the upset that the theft of such a personal item has caused Mr Norman. We will work with the police to try and resolve this.'

Readers with any information about the whereabouts of the concertina should contact Mr Norman on 01825 713551 or police on 0845 60 70 999.