More than a year ago, I wrote about a strange stand-up accordion that I found on eBay. I couldn’t find much information about it online, but there appeared to be a handful of them lurking around the country. This week, I got wind of another one: a Robotti Pianaccord that Bill Horton is selling on eBay. Here’s his description:
“It was passed down to me by my Italian grandfather. Unfortunately, he passed away before I got the story on it. Mine is fully functional, and I have enjoyed playing it… I have 2 names on mine. One is Robotti, the other is Pianaccord. I have not been able to find a whole lot of info on these at all… I contacted an appraiser from the antiques roadshow, and he said that the only one he had ever come across was bought by one of his friends as a decorative piece.”
Does anyone out there know more about the history behind these instruments? Are they all made by the same person? (This one has a “Robotti” nameplate, but the ones we saw previously said “Bonvicini”.) Leave a comment if you have any experience with one of these “stand-up” accordions.
16 Comments:
Squeezyboy’s covered these too: http://squeezyboy.blogs.com/squeezytunes/2007/09/bonvicini-accor.html
And you could even make your own! http://squeezyboy.blogs.com/squeezytunes/2007/09/convert-you-acc.html
Somebody brought a homemade one (made out of a poor little Hohner) to our local Vancouver Squeezebox Circle. The fan that ran it was pretty noisy.
peace bruce
by Bruce Triggs on February 24th, 2008
Yeah, I remember seeing that one on Squeezyboy’s site — it’s pretty identical to the Bonvicini we saw before. They look professionally made — not the sort of thing one could (easily) cobble together yourself — and I’m wondering how many were made.
by Chris on February 24th, 2008
I think there was quite a craze for “chord organs” back in the 60s & 70s. It seemed that every family had one back then (in the UK at least). Bontempi was the ubiquitous name over here.
I guess that these stand-up accordions were made by quite a few makers, but these must surely have been the deluxe end of the range. I must stress this is just guesswork though.
We need to keep researching these instruments.
by Squeezyboy on February 25th, 2008
Hi,
My father, Ernest Bonvicini, invented the “Bonvicini Electrichord” in the late forties. My grandfather, “Lorenzo Bonvicini” began designing accordions and importing them to the the united states as early as 1910. It was “Bonvicini Accordions”, “Worlds oldest and finest”. As things went on my dad thought it was too difficult to play a regular accordion. He got sewed for publicly saying, playing the regular accordion made you “Hunch Backed!” Its in the papers…check it out. Anyway one could avoid becomming “Hunched Back”, by playing the, Bonvicini Electricord.. What ever other name on the accordion you have, is wrong…years later…the name Monarch appeared on the accordion ….thats too, is also wrong…I’ll tell you about it sometime.
I have a copy of the original New York Patent granted to my father for the development of the Bonvicini Electricord.
I really love the accordion…thanks for your interest, lets bring it back
see ya
\Lorenzo Bonvicini
by Lorenzo Bonvicini on October 8th, 2008
Thanks for the info, Lorenzo — that’s fascinating! Your father certainly created a one-of-a-kind instrument.
by Chris on October 14th, 2008
Hi Lorenzo,
I believe you are the same Lorenzo I emailed about my Bonvicini standup accordian when we purchased it a couple years ago. Now I am interested in selling it – good condition and plays well – Do you know of any interested buyers???
Thanks!
Pat
by Pat Wilson on November 29th, 2008
I’m interested, Pat. Pls contact me at lance
.ashley@mac.com.
by Lance on December 1st, 2008
I have listed my Standup Accordion again on Ebay if anyone is interested. This is the lowest that I have ever listed it. If you are interested in having one of these mysterious instruments, now is your chance to own one! I have included the link to the listing below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140287531437
Thanks!
Bill Horton
P.S. Thank you Chris for the opportunity of showing this extraordinary instrument on your website. I have mentioned your website in my listing. Thanks again!
by Bill Horton on December 7th, 2008
Hi Lance,
I tried emailing you in response to your December 1st comment, that you are interested in our Bonvicini stand up accordian. My emails are being returned…….would you please verify your email address?
Thanks!
Pat Wilson
by Pat Wilson on December 16th, 2008
I own a Bonvicini piano’accord it is black an has no other writing on it than the name. does anyone have a clue when it was made? It works great
and is in mint condition. Any idea what it is worth?
by bob ewing on February 8th, 2009
Hi.
I saw one stand up accordion exactly like this one in Castelfidardo. It was in the Museo internacionale de la Fisarmonica. The Brand is Baldoni Alfredo on that model. Sound is strong.
by Eduardo C Mednonça on February 25th, 2009
I have a bonvicini specail denver colorado interested in selling for the right price. perfect condition Phone 702-610-6594 thanks
by david on October 9th, 2009
I have a lorenzo accordian 120 key original case and straps in perfect working order would an estimate to its value its very old
by Deanna on December 13th, 2009
I was given a mint condition accordian, made by Sunrise. It has the case, the straps and everything is like new. About how much would this be worth?
Thanks,
Deborah
by Deborah on April 7th, 2010
Hello i have an all black stand-up. The only name is L. Bonvicini in glitter letters and below it DENVERCOLO. It seems to be in very good conditionand it works. Can someone tell me more about it. thanks tom
by tom on August 24th, 2010
Hello I, would like to know if anyone is intrested in Buying my black stand up accordian from Bonvicini. Pleas call 847-253-0057 if intrested! Thanks Tom.
by tom on August 26th, 2010