Diatonic button accordion
Maker
J. Pomm
Date1858 ca.
Place MadeBerlin, Germany, Europe
Serial No.none
SignedGreen paper labeled adhered inside treble casing, marked: Harmonika-Fabrik / von / J. Pomm / BERLIN Kurze Str. No. 20MarkingsEngraved on top of bass (left hand) side, as played: Constantin 1858 Wettering
Scratched into top of keyboard, bass (left hand) side, as played: (script) C. W.
Scratched into surface of metal badge tacked to bass side: 1858
Reed plates and wooden combs are stamped variously with the number 1 through 8, and not necessarily in order or corresponding reed plate to comb.
DescriptionCustom experimental model built to play in 8 keys. 70 treble keys, 16 bass keys. 16-fold bellows divided by a wooden frame, edged in stamped leather. Wooden casing in square profile decorated with mother-of-pearl, pressed metal and polychrome paper borders. Likely custom built for Constantin Wettering, but certainly owned and used by him since 1858. Wettering lived and worked as a professional musician in New York City and Chicago between 1858 and 1889.
Dimensions20 in (508 mm) x 9 in (228 mm) x 22 in (558 mm)
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number01273
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