Diatonic accordion
ALTERNATE NAME(S)
- Accordeon diatonique
- Flutina
Date1860-1880 ca.
Place MadeHamilton, Ontario, Canada, North America
SignedNoneMarkingsRepair labels on left side reed bellow and on right hand side reed plate: REPAIRED BY / T. WHITE, / Manufacturer of / Improved Patent Melodeons / KING STREET WEST, HAMILTON. [underline] / All kinds of Musical Instruments Tuned & Repaired
Handwritten in several interior wooden components and leather valves: 7220
DescriptionFrench type, single-action, diatonic piano accordion with a rectangular-box-shaped, wooden case. Ebonized treble end-frame with a scalloped profile and integral carved undulating trim. No bass casing. The bass hand-frame is a flat board with molding in scalloped profile, which surrounds the air release key. Bass keys mounted on black-painted hardwood frame. Metal finger bar/rail mounted on treble key block. The bellows have five-folds, black leather gussets, and covered with paper decorated with gold, blue and red geometric patterns.
The instrument has 24 treble keys with mother-of-pearl touchpieces, arranged in two rows. The round key pallets are exposed and have brass shafts, and mother-of-pearl covers. The treble side also has two long, pivoted-lever, chord keys mounted on the handbar, which are made of nickel-silver. The bass side has two button-operated, nickel-silver bass keys with round, brass pallets, plus a large air valve key and pallet, also made of nickel-silver and brass. Reeds: 2 sets of treble reeds, 24 of each blow and draw (bisonorous), and 2 sets of bass reeds, also bisonorous.
Dimensions15 in (381 mm) x 8 in (203 mm)
ProvenancePaul and Jean Christian Collection, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2006. The Christians acquired it at Marty’s Auctions, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1968.
Credit LinePaul and Jean Christian Collection, 2006
Object number12447
On View
Not on view
1850-1854 ca.
