Latest Acquisition

[David Higson]

I seem to have acquired a small "Geraldo" 12 bass accordion. I intend to use it to figure out the inner workings and try my hand at a light restoration.
I'm not really interested in its "value" as I don't intend to sell it any time soon and I suspect that it wouldn't carry a very high price tag anyway.
I've looked all over and can find very little about Geraldo accordions.
There is a stamp that says it was "Made in Germany" and it looks like it dates from around the 1930's-50's?


Does anyone have any idea about Geraldo. Was it just a badge from another maker to associate with Geraldo's accordion orchestra? Am I right about the date? All information gratefully received.

 

[Dingo40]

David,
I'm far from claiming to be an expert, but I get a strong feeling this accordion could be from the 1930s: a lovely example of the era??

 

[JIM D.]

Looks all the world like a 80's to 90's 12 bass accordion made to look like a 30 to 40's era accordion.
I say this as the nameplate logo appears to be Silk screened on the box. Also the bellows look relatively new.
That said it is a German box probably of 30's to 40's era.

 

[boxplayer4000]

David,
That looks a good accordion to start experimenting with.
I have a full range of 'Geraldo' reeds if required.

 

[David Higson]

Thanks for the replies so far. The photograph shows it at its best, I think. There is some of the celluloid chipped off revealing wood that seems to be of some vintage. Also, it came in a rather battered case that matches the one that covers my genuine 1930's Hohner. This was what led me to think that it was from that era.
I'll post some more pics as I dismantle it.
I've seen a few Geraldo accordions online, some of which were very ornate, others which were a bit more austere. That is why I'd like to find out more about the manufacturer. I know that some Italian makers moved to Germany in the early 1900's. Was it one of these chaps or was it a German company trying to use the Italianate sounding name as a marketing ploy? If it was a 1980's manufacturer playing to some 1930's style, they took a lot of care over the look and feel.
The mystery deepens...

 

[JIM D.]

Well I've done some history on this one and have come up short.
A member from "Across The Pond" may find access to history of German made Geraldo accordions and post it here.

 

[dunlustin]

I seem to remember there was a time when some German makers felt that an Italian sounding name might do better in the market - looks quite Art Deco to me too?