Historical information

Piano accordions were one form of music used to entertain families and friends prior to electricity being available.

Significance

Possibly used by Eric Heider (Tenny) Wittingslow who married Iris Baker of Tawonga as his death notice was stored in the same box as the accordion.

Physical description

Wooden handles at each end, one has a leather strap over it. When pulled out wooden ends are attached to the handles and to a thick 'cardboard'. Then 3 red wire frames with green 'cardboard' covering, then wood, then 3 more red & green, then wood, then 3 more red/green and then another thick 'cardboard' attached to the opposite handle. These are the bellows pulling air in and out.
The handle with the strap has a keyboard beside it while the other handle has silver knobs that move in when pressed.
One side of its original box reads - "The Dudley' Trade Mark ' Nightingale' Accordeon / No. 8018?

Inscriptions & markings

One handle has 'Dudley'. The other 'Dudley=Accordion'.
The middle section has on the end of each of the 4 parts - in metal:- Trade mark with bird in the middle of a triangle. Followed by -Nightingale/Registered/Best Quality/Made in Germany