PEDAL-ACCORDION. WOJCIECH in FREJUS. c. 1930.
Monster prototype accordion driven by a crank-gear.
Wooden body plated of brass engraved with rural scenes in the 18° century style.
Signature; "WOJCIECH - FREJUS" and the Polish inscription: "TULACZ - WIECZNY".
Initial: W.F.
Bellows of 15 folds.
Mechanism covered with a nickeled and carved plate representing an eagle crowning the device:
"POLAKNA OBCZYZNIE", and signed "Raymond, 1933".
The right keyboard also decorated with a nickeled plate on which is written the Greek words:
"Mneme - Melete - Aoide"... (Singing keep alive the memory)
Chromatic system, 6 rows. 116 mother of pearl buttons. 2 stops.
Bass keyboard of 10 rows. 240 mother of pearl buttons.
Brass plate on the back of the body with the inscription:
1927 1937
FABRYCACYA FRANCUSKA
WYNALAZEK-I WYKONCZENIE
W.A. FREJUS
RAMY - I MUZYKA H. CHRISTIN
MECHANIZM J. VIALA
DEKORACYA R. RAMSTEIN

The instrument is originally fastened on a wrought iron fram, sliding on rails by 2 belts worked with the feet.
This accordion is too heavy to be played on lap.
A wooden saddle padded with black velvet is screwed on a wrought iron support. The player is sat like on
a carrier-tricycle and pedal for moving the accordion and blowing the wind in the bellows...
A crimson velvet curtain is hanged around the frame.
Length of the accordion: 62 cm.
Height: 53,5 cm.
Width: 34 cm.

Total height of the instrument: 148 cm.
Length: 78 cm.
Width: 74 cm.

32 000 €.

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