Need Help Identifying "mini" Giulietti accordion

[upsideoutlook32]

I purchased a mini Giuiletti from an estate sale accordion for my son but it never got played. I have been unable to determine the model & value to give it new home. This beautiful instrument is old per its original case. Made in Italy & Giuiletti are only clues I have. It has 16 white keys, 10 black keys, 3 registers: Clar., Mast., Bass. Its in great condition from all appearances & sound to my ltd. Knowledge. Any information is most appreciated.

 

[TomBR]

Hi,
Your photo links require sign in to a Google ID.

 

[upsideoutlook32]

Thank you, TomBR!
Admittedly, newbie mistake.

 

[TomBR]

Interesting! thanks for sorting the photos.
That size would normally be described as a 48 bass, or 26/48 because it has 26 piano keys and 48 bass buttons. Also 48 "6 x 8" because that's the way the bass buttons are arranged.

There are plenty of "Hohner Student VM" or "Concerto" accordions of this sort of spec around and they are well respected small accordions. Yours is different and interesting because it looks like it has two sets of reeds at the treble end which are an octave apart. Most 48 bass instruments have two reeds at the same pitch. Yours is potentially more versatile in sound and might be sought after for that reason.

As always with accordions, condition is vital. The cost of putting an instrument into good playing order can easily exceed its value in good playing order, making them almost worthless. "Vintage" doesn't equal valuable.

Where in the world are you? Hohner Student VMs in playable order go through Ebay in the UK at £200-£300 or so.

I'll be interested to hear what anyone else has to say.
Tom

 

[Soulsaver]

This one I'd say is hard to quantify: If a knowledgeable seller in the UK listed a fairly modern Italian, quality make, 48(6x8) bass BLACK accordion with a glowing description, it may make £500+. As Tom says, in the UK there is the demand for small accordions for folk, strolling, learners etc.
But in white? Without qualified description..? Older? In the US(?) where the demand for small accordions seems less...?
Guesswork - between £100 and £300, above that seems plausible, but unlikely.
Jim? Anybody?

 

[JIM D.]

Yes, I've just read this thread.
I've just returned from a performance and will comment on this one !!

 

[upsideoutlook32]

The replies on this forum are quite educational & interesting. Im living in Portland, Oregon presently. The accordion was bought in northwestern Ohio, where a lot of German polka fans live. I too grew up listening and dancing, so had hoped my part Hawaiian son would find an affinity for it, but rather he plays ukulele and trumpet in a youth philharmonic orchestra. It appears to need no repairs whatsoever. I found a video online that appears to be the same accordion YouTube video 1515 Ivory Giulietti LM 48.

 

[JIM D.]

Well first of all this 48 bass model you have DID NOT come in that 10 cent fiber case when new. Some where along the line the fine upholstered case it came with has disappeared. Your 48 bass was listed & sold in the fine line of Giulietti accordions from the middle 50s to the middle 70s.

See Here -- http://www.giuliettiusa.com/history/

I knew Julio personally and when he moved his firm to Westfield, MA (20 min. from my home) I visited him many times. The line of American line of Giulietti accordions were made in Italy by Zero-Sette and all of the finest quality and always a step above of a competitive make.
The purpose of the model you have was for the use of a young student of a small stature for learning purposes and in most cases traded up when the student matured.
Excelsior, Titano, Sonola and Giulietti all had 48 bass models in their line for just this purpose and now no longer made and still in demand,they have held their used value well. These models would have sold for $2495.00 when new and will fetch from $995.00 to $1495.00 today depending on condition.

 

[TomBR]

Great reply Jim, very interesting. Thanks for the video link upsideoutlook, if yours is in good playing condition that's a nice little accordion.
Tom

 

[Soulsaver]

Great little box in the link, coming with a LB guarantee, $795 - seems like someone could really have been quite lucky.

 

[upsideoutlook32]

Thanks for all of your replies! It has always been treated like a big piece of jewelry in the home - too beautiful and artful otherwise. That replacement case likely preserved it better than other alternatives. Now I'm uncertain what steps to take, but at least many popular hipster bands are also playing accordions and other instruments not typically seen in those genres. I love the accordion! We're planning on moving to Hawaii, where high humidity is not kind to many of Mainland treasures. That was the impetus for identifying the 'lil Giulietti.