$4,250
Sold
sold
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Description
9" (23 cm.) w. x 11" h. The wood-framed accordion with pearlized celluloid finish decorated with rhinestone-inlaid fan blades has a 12-key musical board and original leather strap. The accordion has the inlaid name of the maker, E. Galizi Bro, and a script inlay name "Shirley". The Galizi accordion maker of Brooklyn was considered the luxury maker of that instrument during the 1920s. A January 25, 1935 article in the New York Mirror tells how the accordion, inlaid with Shirley's name, came into the possession of the then 7-year-old film star. The article relates: "A five year old girl in Brooklyn has parted with her most prized possession in order to show her appreciation of her favorite movie star. Her name is Anna Galizi and the present which she sent to Shirley Temple is a little green and white accordion made for her by her father." Anna had Shirley's name emblazoned on the accordion and sent it to Shirley with this note: " I am a little girl five years old, just like you...This little instrument used to be my own, but I am willing to part with it as long as I am sending it to you. Please take care of it as my Daddy made it, and now my Daddy is in Heaven with the angels. I hope you will like it and that you will learn to play at least one little tune on it." Included with the accordion, which is in perfectly preserved condition, is a Western Union telegram from Anna to Shirley.