Godsgirl
Newbie
My father had a 1800-mid 1800's Giuseppe Verdi one of a kind accordion. When he passed he wanted me to find its value and sell it. He didn't have the technology to do the research like we have now. He played the accordion since he was 4 years old. My Papa came to USA from Italy when he was a boy it was custom, at least in my father's family to entertain guests. That was my Daddy's job since he was little. My father was a great musician and was well known in our tri- state area.
I found a small little music store in our city and when I walked in with the accordion the young man's mouth fell open. I was wanting to know more about this beauty. He told my husband and I that it was from the early to mid 1800's and was used to play for family gatherings or on the streets. And back then the fancier your instrument was, the more prestigious you were and would make or money. He said he would have to open it up to see the condition and how much work had been done to it. He explained that every time someone worked on one they would initial and date it with pencil inside. He carefully unscrewed the screws and astonished that there were no initials on it. So he proclaimed that he was the first person to open it until Verdi made it!!! He carefully put it back to together. I asked the value and he couldn't tell me as he had never seen a Verdi in this great condition.
I'm looking for an appraiser to give me a ballpark value. I've been told 10,000 and I've been told more. I've been told to get ahold of the Smithsonian and ask them. They did a series called The River of Song years ago. It's about the different types of music along the Mississippi River. They had interviewed my Father when they reached our cities. My husband and I are retiring this year and I don't want to store it or quite frankly don't want to give to one of our kids. I want to honor my father's wishes. I live in Eastern Iowa right on the river. I can not find an appraiser. Just curious if anyone has any Ideas? By the way, this beauty still sounds so sweet. The only thing wrong is the leather strap has worn and broken. I would greatly appreciate any information. Thank you!
Godsgirl...
I found a small little music store in our city and when I walked in with the accordion the young man's mouth fell open. I was wanting to know more about this beauty. He told my husband and I that it was from the early to mid 1800's and was used to play for family gatherings or on the streets. And back then the fancier your instrument was, the more prestigious you were and would make or money. He said he would have to open it up to see the condition and how much work had been done to it. He explained that every time someone worked on one they would initial and date it with pencil inside. He carefully unscrewed the screws and astonished that there were no initials on it. So he proclaimed that he was the first person to open it until Verdi made it!!! He carefully put it back to together. I asked the value and he couldn't tell me as he had never seen a Verdi in this great condition.
I'm looking for an appraiser to give me a ballpark value. I've been told 10,000 and I've been told more. I've been told to get ahold of the Smithsonian and ask them. They did a series called The River of Song years ago. It's about the different types of music along the Mississippi River. They had interviewed my Father when they reached our cities. My husband and I are retiring this year and I don't want to store it or quite frankly don't want to give to one of our kids. I want to honor my father's wishes. I live in Eastern Iowa right on the river. I can not find an appraiser. Just curious if anyone has any Ideas? By the way, this beauty still sounds so sweet. The only thing wrong is the leather strap has worn and broken. I would greatly appreciate any information. Thank you!
Godsgirl...
