In addition to being a playable musical instrument, a vintage accordion has some value as a collectible or antique. Vintage accordions are extremely rare and valuable, both because the instrument is a relative newcomer to the musical world and because most accordions were made for a mass consumer market and haven’t gained much value solely as collectibles. Vintage accordions from more reputable makers, as well as those that have been well-cared for, have aged well, and are still playable, are more desirable.
The accordion has a relatively short history. Early versions were only released in 1829, so no vintage accordion can compare to the age and historical significance of other musical instruments. A vintage accordion would undoubtedly be one of the earliest accordions, but these are extremely rare.
Accordions were extremely popular as musical instruments in 19th-century Europe and Russia, and many immigrants brought them to the United States and other colonial destinations. From German factory towns to Russian peasant villages, they were primarily a working-class instrument that was popular with people of modest means. Polka music, which was the rebellious rock music of the time, was associated with early accordions. As a result, any vintage accordion from this era is likely to have been played a lot and to show signs of wear.
These instruments remained popular well into the twentieth century, and in some places, they even gained acceptance among the upper crust. Higher-class customers received accordions that were both more expensive and of higher material quality. A vintage accordion of this type, especially one from a reputable brand like Hohner, is a valuable collectible.
There are many different types of accordions. Squeezeboxes get their name from the fact that all accordions have a squeezable bellows and use air from a central reservoir to produce both a melody and a baseline. However, accordions come with a variety of keying systems. Some people use buttons to control which notes are played, while others use small piano keyboards. A vintage accordion can be either a button accordion or a piano accordion, as both styles date from the early days of accordion construction.
In general, the quality of accordion construction increases complexity. The most affordable models had a simple button arrangement and a flimsy overall construction. The construction of better brands and models was more meticulous, and the controls were more sophisticated. When shopping for a vintage accordion, it’s a good idea to evaluate the instrument’s playability, as this is a good indicator of both the instrument’s value and how well it’s been cared for.