Rob Howard’s new book, Catalog No: robaccord05 “Vintage Accordions”, now available from MusicForAccordion.com is a colorful, pictorial history of the accordion, in its various forms, from the early 19th Century onwards up to the present time. There are 300 pictures plus information and some interesting historical articles. This book is a limited edition, A4 sized, 60 pages, and in hardback.
The idea for this book came from Ken Hopkins in Ireland, who gave Rob the idea. Ken owns what must be the world’s largest private collection of accordions. He has 1,000 accordions of all types in his house. Rob Howard said, “There’s not much room for people! My daughter lives not far away and on my visits over there I have taken quite a lots of photos, and these form the basis of Vintage Accordions.”
The book is set out chronologically. Rob wrote some articles to provide a linking narrative. In the section on Castelfidardo, he lists the main accordion manufacturers in the town, and also elsewhere in Italy and beyond including the year each manufacturer began, and also the year of cessation where applicable. Getting the correct data was not easy. Rob believes the details in “Vintage Accordions” to be accurate, having done much checking and cross referencing.
Rob Howard includes a disclaimer early in the book saying that “Vintage Accordions” is not the definitive guide to accordions through the years. “As I delved into this topic I became increasingly aware of the sheer number of makes and brand names there are and have been. To cover all these would result in a series rivalling Encyclopedia Brittanica! My modest effort presents a representative sample that gives an overview of the accordion’s evolution”
“It was great fun to take the pictures and put the book together, and I’ve had lots of encouraging comments. The trouble with getting praise is that it makes me think in terms of doing another book, whatever that might be!! These books are taking my life over!”
This book is the perfect holiday gift for accordion lovers everywhere! It is available online with secure server credit card purchase in Euro or US$ Catalog No: robaccord05 “Vintage Accordions”.
For more information: robaccord5@hotmail.com
