When Papa Plays the 'Cordion . . .

. . . ev'rybody dances,

When Papa plays the 'cordion in the afternoon,

Mail man whistles "Ain't that fine!"

Waiters hum while people dine, 

Clothes are dancing on the line and a toy balloon

Dances gaily on the air and the kid that had it 

Kicks his heels and doesn't care where it comes to land,

People going diff'rent ways 

Stop and smile and do sashays

All the time when Papa plays his accordion.

When Papa Plays Accordion, Malvina Reynolds, 1958

You can have you neighbors smiling and sashaying, too, when you play this astounding Italian vintage accordion, complete with its carrying case. Called a piano accordion because of its keyboard, this instrument is as beautiful as the music it may make. It has a glowing yellow pearlized finish with a filigree front panel inset with glittering rhinestones.

This is the Napoli model made by Soprani, Inc. The Soprani name has long been renown for its exquisite Italian accordions. In the early 1860s, an Austrian traveler sought shelter at the Soprani family's small farmhouse in Castelfidardo, Italy.  To entertain his hosts, the traveler played an early version of the accordion, first patented in Vienna in 1829. One of the sons, Paolo, was fascinated by the instrument and studied it closely. In 1864, he opened a small workshop to craft accordions, with assistance from his brothers. This was the beginning of the Italian accordion industry, which continues to create finely-crafted instruments to date. The instrument quickly gained popularity and Paolo's workshop later expanded into a factory employing hundreds of workers. In 1872, Paolo's brother, Settimio, opened his own workshop and over the generations other members of the family started their own accordion companies.  

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

16151-24