Unknown Silvertone Accordion

[newbie1234]

I've recently come into possession of a Silvertone Accordion of which I know very little. It looks quite nice, as it's covered in Pearl and little gemstones and the design almost reminds me of a bird. Wondering if there's any insight, literature or media anyone might have to point me towards the history of the instrument. I don't play, and frankly know very little about Accordions so I'd like to pass it along to someone locally that can actually appreciate it.

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome Newbie!
It has a "waterfall " keyboard and
smallish right-angled bellows corners.
Probably from the late 1940s/early 1950s.
Does it mention country of origin anywhere!?
I couldn't make our the designations on the coupler switches in the photo, so can't comment about the likely number of reed sets.
It was a good build originally but has led quite a hard life.
Does it have a moukdy smell?
Do allow the keys/buttons work/sound?
In today's market, in playable condition it could fetch as much as 2 or 3 hundred dollars on a good day.
Good luck with it

 

[Ben-jammin]

Silvertone was the house music brand for Sears department stores. I think I read Celeste on the right register that would imply that is a three reed LMM instrument. I would expect it was made in Italy by one of many builders under contract to the price point determined by Sears. There might be exceptions and some vintage Silvertone products (guitar amps) have a cult status but generally they focused on modestly priced options.

 

[ColoRodney]

Flipping the photo of the register switches upside down, I read them as "Celeste," "Bandoneon," "Orchestra," Clarinetto," and "Fagotto" (which is "bassoon" in Italian). The letter "E" is particularly bizarre in this decorative type, making "Celeste" hard to read; but the same letterform is used in "Bandoneon" and "Orchestra," confirming that it's an "E."

So, I'd agree with LMM is being the likely reed set, though it's possible that it's LMH with MH being "celeste" and there being no LH or H switch.

And are those register switches ivory? If so, don't try to ship it across national borders.

But I'd like to say... this is another example in "designers of accordion grilles can't agree on which way is up." I'd like to put together a gallery of designs where the principal elements or words are pointing in different directions. I've seen examples that can be read by the person playing the instrument, the audience looking at the instrument, or someone looking at it as though it's set on a table like a piano fall-board. This is one is designed to be read in the fourth direction, looking at the instrument face on, as it stands on its feet.

 

[Waldo]

Sure do look like ivory. Hard to figure on a Sears house brand.

 

[Dingo40]

And are those register switches ivory?

Most likely plastic faux ivory: a common fashion thing in the day, for keytops as well!

 

[ColoRodney]

I agree that it’s more likely to be plastic, but those subtle veins of darker color are pretty convincing.

 

[Ventura]

yes the graining was a very popular skill with Italian artisans
in many different disciplines.. great Uncle Gregorio re-did all
the woodwork in his entire house in a similar faux-oak.. i
still have his old specialized tools..

my Gola has the faux ivory keys and shifts.. the graining is
too even and regular to be really taken for Ivory, but the
tone and overall look is very convincing.. also have several Scandalli
from the blue aluminum era with faux ivory detailing

when well done, the graining is embedded into the plastic, and
cannot rub off. but have seen some that is just a surface treatment,
and can lose the graining where your finger touches most often

since this Silvertone was obviously very moldy and spotted, it is
going to need cleaned and rubbed out quite seriously.. so whomever
restores it, be careful what chemicals you use and how hard you rub

i also have a Galeazzi-Sordoni 120 bass section from the 1930's
with those voluptuous scantily clad ladies decorating the panel
that is at minimum natural Bone bass buttons, but may be true ivory