Kevin Friedrich, AWAM board member and friend, sent us this remarkable photo of his newly restored double keyboard accordion. We heartily congratulate Kevin on finding this treasure, seeing to its restoration, performing on it, and preserving it for posterity in his museum in New Zealand.

Kevin wrote the following description:  Maga Ercole Dimascio Florentino from Stradella, Italy

“The Maga Ercole accordion company from Stradella, Italy was founded in 1895 making it one of the oldest continuing accordion companies in operation. 

This stunning and unique double keyboard instrument was part of a restoration project that has been in progress for several years.  Retired accordion factory worker Rino Magnaterra from Castelfidardo took on this special project for Kevin Friedrich.  The approximately 100 year old instrument, was refurbished using all original parts where possible.

The unique second keyboard sounds an octave higher than the first, with a brilliant tremolo sound. 

The left hand features 160 basses with 120 of those bass buttons configured in the usual arrangement of two rows of single notes and accompanying chords, however the first two rows of buttons are 40 single note free bass pitches.

While still very fragile, the instrument is fully functional and housed at the Dargaville Museum, New Zealand as part of the ‘Accordion Gems, A Master Collection of Accordions Through Time’ exhibit, administered by Kevin Friedrich. 

The Dimascio Florentino was unveiled with Kevin performing a work by New Zealand composer Gary Daverne.”