Old Accordion

[mikekammel]

Hello all! I just joined this community because I inherited my grandfather's accordion and I'm looking for information about it. He was born in 1903 and died in 1983. It sat in it's case in my aunt's basement for the last 40 years. My dad, who was born in 1935, says he remembers even as a kid grandpa playing this accordion. So I'm guessing this instrument is at least 80 years old. I am attaching a few images of it. It is a Silvio Soprani, an emblem on it says it was made in Italy, and it has the number 5139 in the emblem also. Is this a serial number or a model number? Another emblem on it says "Guaranteed for Life". I remember my grandpa playing it at our family picnics each year, and each time we were at his house for holidays. He taught himself how to play, according to my dad. We have a large and close knit family, and this accordion is going to my son, who is a musician. I removed it from it's original case to get the pictures, but I did not attempt to unlatch and open it, as I obviously have no idea what condition the bellows are. I am searching for a local person in my area (La Crosse, WI) to clean and/or repair it if needed. Any information about this company or this type and style of accordion is appreciated, especially the age. Thanks so much! BTW, the first image is a combined photo of my grandpa playing, and my son goofing around at a college party. I assume he had been drinking!!

 

[Pipemajor]

Welcome mikekammel, good to have you here.
Sorry I can't give you any advice on your grandfather's accordion, but someone will be along soon with all you need to know.
Can I just say how refreshing it is to have a new member join who is genuinely interested in his/her new acquisition and intends to make full use of it. Makes such a change from the usual "how much is it worth", no please or thank you, type who I would ignore.
I hope your son enjoys , and makes full use of it.

 

[debra]

Welcome! The first thing you should ask yourself is: Do I really want this accordion (at any cost)?
The reality of accordions is that when they are stored for 40 years in a basement they very likely will require several hundred dollar of work to restore them to a fully usable condition. The cost will most certainly outweigh the economic value of the accordion once restored. It is definitely worth it for someone with a great attachment to the instrument, but as an economic asset sadly it has no real value. It is a full size but very basic two voice accordion (valuable instruments have 3 to 5 voices, resulting in them also having many registers to choose between different sounds). In full working condition (all flaws repaired) this accordion has a realistic value of between 300 and 500, but it is unlikely to get it back in that condition for less than 500...

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks for the first two replies. This instrument is a family heirloom. We are a close knit family. My grandparents parents emigrated from Bohemia and Bavaria, bringing their traditions with them. My grandparents had 8 children (all farmers at some point), who gave them 41 grandchildren (including me), who gave us (at last count) 88 great-grandchildren and half a dozen great-great-grandchildren. We have had an annual family picnic in someone's farm field (this years was just last Sunday) for over 60 years now. Those of us who remember grandpa alive will never forget him playing polka music at the picnics while grandma dished out the ice cream cones, always after the softball game that most everyone (adults and kids of any age) played in. Try getting a base hit when there are 8 people in the outfield! I recite this just to emphasize our tradition of "family". As I said, it is a family heirloom. I have no idea what it is worth monetarily and couldn't care less. I have no idea if my son will ever play it. It would be incredibly meaningful if he did (he is a musician, so he plans on at least trying) That is besides the point. If the cost to repair it to playing condition is cost prohibitive, the accordion will go on a wall somewhere. We're just a bunch of stubborn Germans who value family, and this instrument is symbolic of where we all came from. No one remembers how grandpa learned to play, if his father played, or an uncle taught him, or was he self taught, etc. Sadly, that part of our history is gone forever. Only 2 of the original 8 kids left, my dad (age 88) and an aunt (just turned 79). Sorry for this diatribe, I have no idea why I felt the need to expand on the reasons for the importance of this accordion to our family. We just lost my mom a couple months ago, I'm sure that has something to do with it. Thanks again, for the responses, I'm looking forward to a few more!!

 

[Ben-jammin]

Mike, Paul does correctly describe the economic truth of accordions of that age in the condition we would expect it to be at this time.

I believe your accordion to be from the first half of the 50s (others on here may know better). With only two register selections it has probably 2 or 3 reed sets in the treble side. At that time more entry level accordions didn’t always have registers for all possible reed combinations. Based on two treble registers and no register switches for the bass this is certainly a modest specification instrument and will have factory type reeds.

There are a number of brands that have used the Soprani surname. Paolo Soprani was the first to establish an accordion factory in Castelfidardo. I believe some of the Soprani brands were family members of Paolo that spun off while others were simply copying the Soprani name for their reputation (I believe that at least 2 Chinese brands in operation are using the Surname on their vastly inferior products). I’m afraid I’m not sure exactly where Silvio Soprani liesif it was descendent of Paolo or just using the name. I do know their reputation isn’t the highest order but being Italian made they were probably relatively competent instruments for the market segment they were built for.

The number you describe is most likely a serial number.

Whether you decide to restore now or not. You should educate yourself and your son on best practices to store the accordion. They can quickly be ruined if stored in inappropriate environments, greatly limiting the viability of future restoration.

 

[mikekammel]

Mike, Paul does correctly describe the economic truth of accordions of that age in the condition we would expect it to be at this time.

I believe your accordion to be from the first half of the 50s (others on here may know better). With only two register selections it has probably 2 or 3 reed sets in the treble side. At that time more entry level accordions didn’t always have registers for all possible reed combinations. Based on two treble registers and no register switches for the bass this is certainly a modest specification instrument and will have factory type reeds.

There are a number of brands that have used the Soprani surname. Paolo Soprani was the first to establish an accordion factory in Castelfidardo. I believe some of the Soprani brands were family members of Paolo that spun off while others were simply copying the Soprani name for their reputation (I believe that at least 2 Chinese brands in operation are using the Surname on their vastly inferior products). I’m afraid I’m not sure exactly where Silvio Soprani liesif it was descendent of Paolo or just using the name. I do know their reputation isn’t the highest order but being Italian made they were probably relatively competent instruments for the market segment they were built for.

The number you describe is most likely a serial number.

Whether you decide to restore now or not. You should educate yourself and your son on best practices to store the accordion. They can quickly be ruined if stored in inappropriate environments, greatly limiting the viability of future restoration.

Thank you for the information. My father who is 88 years old remembers my grandfather playing this accordion as early as the late 1930's. Or at least he remembers him playing an accordion, which we assume was this one because no one in the family remembers him ever having a different one. Of course as we all know, as we age, memory does play certain tricks with us! Again, thanks much for the info. As an aside, I just now did find the email address for the Soprani business in Italy, and have sent them an email asking if they have any records of the possible manufacture date of this accordion.

 

[Ventura]

well the front grill is cowl shaped meaning the sides curve around,
while late 40's early 50's seem to be more often the lay-on essentially
flat type that have separate "sides" they screw onto

there is obvious damage to the bellows, lifted corners, looks
like mold/rot as opposed to dryness as the cause

it does have mics and that suggests it was intended as more than merely
a student model (suggesting better quality options may have been ordered)

Silvio was Scandalli's first name, so it is kind of a joke i believe
in that at first Settimo Soprani was still independant and just using
the Scandalli factory overnight as a kindness extended to them
after their Castlifidardo factory was torched/destroyed/burnt to the ground

eventually there was a merger some say or an absorption perhaps more accurately
of Settimo Soprani into the Scandalli organization so they were run by
the same people etc. which is when this line appeared (mostly in plain black) as
Silvio Soprani as opposed to Settimo Soprani for the nameplate and i imagine this
was the equivalent of the "hand slapping the arm with the fist flying into the air"
sort of message often directed at Paolo Soprani' office windows as the Settimo workers walked
past the Paolo factory on their way home after a long shift..

Settimo was still named on the fancy models like the Contino and the
Settimo Soprani version of the Super 6 (which by the way there is one available
in the Wash DC region that needs re-furbishing)

 

[debra]

Thanks for the first two replies. This instrument is a family heirloom. ...

This is the "sentimental value" I meant, which makes it worth restoring the accordion even though this will likely cost more than the economic value of the accordion. I hope you can find a local accordion repairer who is willing to take on this job. In Europe we have a TV show "The Repair Shop" which would be ideal for exactly this situation (difficult repairs of family heirlooms). These are typically repair jobs that many repairers refuse because "they make no sense", but that is speaking economic value, not sentimental value.
I wish you a lot of luck in finding a craftsman (or -woman) to bring your family heirloom back to life!

 

[mikekammel]

well the front grill is cowl shaped meaning the sides curve around,
while late 40's early 50's seem to be more often the lay-on essentially
flat type that have separate "sides" they screw onto

there is obvious damage to the bellows, lifted corners, looks
like mold/rot as opposed to dryness as the cause

it does have mics and that suggests it was intended as more than merely
a student model (suggesting better quality options may have been ordered)

Silvio was Scandalli's first name, so it is kind of a joke i believe
in that at first Settimo Soprani was still independant and just using
the Scandalli factory overnight as a kindness extended to them
after their Castlifidardo factory was torched/destroyed/burnt to the ground

eventually there was a merger some say or an absorption perhaps more accurately
of Settimo Soprani into the Scandalli organization so they were run by
the same people etc. which is when this line appeared (mostly in plain black) as
Silvio Soprani as opposed to Settimo Soprani for the nameplate and i imagine this
was the equivalent of the "hand slapping the arm with the fist flying into the air"
sort of message often directed at Paolo Soprani' office windows as the Settimo workers walked
past the Paolo factory on their way home after a long shift..

Settimo was still named on the fancy models like the Contino and the
Settimo Soprani version of the Super 6 (which by the way there is one available
in the Wash DC region that needs re-furbishing)

Thank you so much for the information, it is fascinating!

 

[mikekammel]

This is the "sentimental value" I meant, which makes it worth restoring the accordion even though this will likely cost more than the economic value of the accordion. I hope you can find a local accordion repairer who is willing to take on this job. In Europe we have a TV show "The Repair Shop" which would be ideal for exactly this situation (difficult repairs of family heirlooms). These are typically repair jobs that many repairers refuse because "they make no sense", but that is speaking economic value, not sentimental value.
I wish you a lot of luck in finding a craftsman (or -woman) to bring your family heirloom back to life!

Thank you for your thoughts. I too believe the sentimental value is monumental. I do have a lead on an elderly lady in our community who used to work at a very reputable instrument store in our city. From my information, she plays accordion and used to repair them at this store. I am in the process of contacting her through a mutual friend. It will be very interesting meeting her. I will post on this forum if any progress is made. Thanks again!

 

[Valski]

Hello all! I just joined this community because I inherited my grandfather's accordion and I'm looking for information about it. He was born in 1903 and died in 1983. It sat in it's case in my aunt's basement for the last 40 years. My dad, who was born in 1935, says he remembers even as a kid grandpa playing this accordion. So I'm guessing this instrument is at least 80 years old. I am attaching a few images of it. It is a Silvio Soprani, an emblem on it says it was made in Italy, and it has the number 5139 in the emblem also. Is this a serial number or a model number? Another emblem on it says "Guaranteed for Life". I remember my grandpa playing it at our family picnics each year, and each time we were at his house for holidays. He taught himself how to play, according to my dad. We have a large and close knit family, and this accordion is going to my son, who is a musician. I removed it from it's original case to get the pictures, but I did not attempt to unlatch and open it, as I obviously have no idea what condition the bellows are. I am searching for a local person in my area (La Crosse, WI) to clean and/or repair it if needed. Any information about this company or this type and style of accordion is appreciated, especially the age. Thanks so much! BTW, the first image is a combined photo of my grandpa playing, and my son goofing around at a college party. I assume he had been drinking!!

Welcome to the forum. Our friend Paul is absolutely correct about this accordion. Just like anything else, old instruments can need more repair than they are worth and many people assume that just because something is old it has a high value. Think of this like an early 1960's auto equivalent to a basic Ford Falcon that sat in the yard behind the garage, it may be repaired but the cost would exceed the value of the vehicle which was never an expensive vehicle.

It's truly unfortunate that your aunt had stored this in a basement for so many years because it's evident that humidity has caused a lot of damage. You might want to clean up the outside of your accordion for display and then invest the several hundred dollars into purchasing a playable accordion for your son and honor the memory of your grandfather in this way since the best compliment would be to carry on his legacy.

 

[JerryPH]

A lot depends on how attached a person is to an instrument. It is very easy to put more money in to it than it is worth quite fast. However for someone that has a sentimental attachment to that accordion, this is completely OK. I have a couple of accordions like that... one that is a completely messed up accordion that is abused, missing huge components and actually quite a horrible state, yet if necessary, I am willing to purchase a same accordion in good condition and transfer things to the "junker"...because that junker was something that my grandfather held and wanted to restore. Over time I know I will have more money in that box than it will ever be worth, but I will make her work one day.

The thing is to do this WITH THE KNOWLEDGE of the reality of the situation and to understand that for the vast majority of people, the right thing to do is to walk away, but for some people where the history and sentimentality of the accordion outweighs the money you are about to place in to the money pit with an end goal in mind and get it done, no matter the cost (well, within the realm of your budget and affordability, of course).

It's your choice, but you need to know what the choices are and make the right one for yourself.
There are accordions I own that you could not get me to sell to you even if you gave me 1000 times it's value due to it's sentimentality.

 

[mikekammel]

A lot depends on how attached a person is to an instrument. It is very easy to put more money in to it than it is worth quite fast. However for someone that has a sentimental attachment to that accordion, this is completely OK. I have a couple of accordions like that... one that is a completely messed up accordion that is abused, missing huge components and actually quite a horrible state, yet if necessary, I am willing to purchase a same accordion in good condition and transfer things to the "junker"...because that junker was something that my grandfather held and wanted to restore. Over time I know I will have more money in that box than it will ever be worth, but I will make her work one day.

The thing is to do this WITH THE KNOWLEDGE of the reality of the situation and to understand that for the vast majority of people, the right thing to do is to walk away, but for some people where the history and sentimentality of the accordion outweighs the money you are about to place in to the money pit with an end goal in mind and get it done, no matter the cost (well, within the realm of your budget and affordability, of course).

It's your choice, but you need to know what the choices are and make the right one for yourself.
There are accordions I own that you could not get me to sell to you even if you gave me 1000 times it's value due to it's sentimentality.

Thanks so much for your reply, it is much appreciated.

 

[mikekammel]

A lot depends on how attached a person is to an instrument. It is very easy to put more money in to it than it is worth quite fast. However for someone that has a sentimental attachment to that accordion, this is completely OK. I have a couple of accordions like that... one that is a completely messed up accordion that is abused, missing huge components and actually quite a horrible state, yet if necessary, I am willing to purchase a same accordion in good condition and transfer things to the "junker"...because that junker was something that my grandfather held and wanted to restore. Over time I know I will have more money in that box than it will ever be worth, but I will make her work one day.

The thing is to do this WITH THE KNOWLEDGE of the reality of the situation and to understand that for the vast majority of people, the right thing to do is to walk away, but for some people where the history and sentimentality of the accordion outweighs the money you are about to place in to the money pit with an end goal in mind and get it done, no matter the cost (well, within the realm of your budget and affordability, of course).

It's your choice, but you need to know what the choices are and make the right one for yourself.
There are accordions I own that you could not get me to sell to you even if you gave me 1000 times it's value due to it's sentimentality.

Thanks much for your reply, I appreciate the information!

 

[mikekammel]

A lot depends on how attached a person is to an instrument. It is very easy to put more money in to it than it is worth quite fast. However for someone that has a sentimental attachment to that accordion, this is completely OK. I have a couple of accordions like that... one that is a completely messed up accordion that is abused, missing huge components and actually quite a horrible state, yet if necessary, I am willing to purchase a same accordion in good condition and transfer things to the "junker"...because that junker was something that my grandfather held and wanted to restore. Over time I know I will have more money in that box than it will ever be worth, but I will make her work one day.

The thing is to do this WITH THE KNOWLEDGE of the reality of the situation and to understand that for the vast majority of people, the right thing to do is to walk away, but for some people where the history and sentimentality of the accordion outweighs the money you are about to place in to the money pit with an end goal in mind and get it done, no matter the cost (well, within the realm of your budget and affordability, of course).

It's your choice, but you need to know what the choices are and make the right one for yourself.
There are accordions I own that you could not get me to sell to you even if you gave me 1000 times it's value due to it's sentimentality.

Thanks for your reply, I know I have a few options, I just have to decide which is best for me. Thanks again!

 

[mikekammel]

Go to Tri State Accordion Club. Meets second Tuesday at Earl's. Ask for Ron or Heidi. Tell 'em Tom sent you.

https://m.facebook.com/TriStateAccordionClub/

Thanks so much! I checked out their Facebook page and sent an email to the address that was listed. I hope to hear from them!

 

[mikekammel]

Thanks so much! I checked out their Facebook page and sent an email to the address that was listed. I hope to hear from them!

I heard from both Ron and Heidi, thank you for the contact info. We are working on a date to get together! Thanks so much!

 

[Tom]

I heard from both Ron and Heidi, thank you for the contact info. We are working on a date to get together! Thanks so much!

Great! Hope you enjoy the club. Ron and I started it, seems like a million years ago but probably 10. Please tell them Gary and I still play together most weeks on zoom!

 

[boxplayer4000]

The 5139 number plate on the bass end is probably not a serial number but a model number. Serial numbers are normally typed or stamped on an instrument. Some makers choose an external location and some an internal one. The 5139 badge looks like a cast or stamped plastic item which means that if was a serial number then possibly hundreds (maybe thousands) of different casts or stamps would have been required. This is unlikely and as suggested earlier 5139 is more likely to be a model number.
Having said that, Mike, your accordion, with its fabulous family connection, would seem to be prime candidate for restoration, in the face of all the uneconomic arguments against it.

 

[mikekammel]

Great! Hope you enjoy the club. Ron and I started it, seems like a million years ago but probably 10. Please tell them Gary and I still play together most weeks on zoom!

I will, thanks so much for your help.