AWAM board member Yvonne Marts (Fergus Falls, MN) phoned me in December of 2019 to says she wanted to donate her best accordions to the museum, knowing how much I appreciate the Hohner Imperator and Hohner Morino models. They are mid-twentieth century models, well treated and loved by this “Certified Accordion Technician” known as “The Accordion Lady of Fergus Falls.” They will join other accordions she has donated and will be displayed with pride.”
As a model, the Hohner Imperator was built in Germany in 1936 and then again in 1957-61 according to Dr. Martin Haeffner’s Ewig Jung Trotz Vieler Falten [History Unfolds!]. Judging by construction materials and design, this Imperator IV (left, foreground), without serial number, was probably built in the early 1960s. Its treble section offers eleven treble shifts and one palm-master for the 41 keys in four reed-banks while the bass section offers five shifts in five reed-banks.

The Hohner Morino VM, offers eleven treble shifts and five bass shifts controlling five reed-banks in each section. Its treble features triple-middle reeds tuned tremolo and its bass has 127 buttons. The model was built from 1948 to 1970. This instrument, without mute, probably originated in 1940-60s. 

When I arrived at Yvonne’s home, I was surprised by additional donations from Marge Hansen, also of Fergus Falls. They are delightful instruments—Hohner “World’s Fair” Bohemian-type diatonic, Concertone two-row “Viennese” diatonic, Scholer Anglo concertina, and an unusual child’s toy. All are in excellent condition—like new. Fine additions to the museum collection!

Yvonne had notified the “Daily Journal” newspaper of her donations to AWAM and my expected arrival to pick them up. Reporter Johanna Armstrong printed a November 23, multi-page story about Yvonne’s life and accordion-related occupation.