My grandfather played an accordion made in San Francisco in 1896 by G. Galleazzi. Can anyone give me information pertaining to the company or the accordion?

-- Linda Pearson (lmp289@aol.com), June 21, 2001

Answers

The Galleazzi family started the first accordian factory in San Francisco, CA. Giuseppe Galleazzi was my great grandfather who cam to the bay area in the 1880's , by way of Nice, France and then Mexico.

The first factory was in the Oakland area and then moved to Jackson Square in San Francisco. The business closed in the early 1950's.

Much of the work on the accordains was hand made, and I believe on of the signatures of the accordians was the extensive use of havnd carved and in-laid mother of pearl.

Sadly, there is no Galleazzi accordian left in the Galleazzi family.

-- john galleazzi (jgalleazzi@aol.com), September 20, 2001.

Hello! I have a friend who happens to have a G. Galleazzi accordion. It has a silver inscription stating it won a gold metal at the first Golden Gate Exposition 1898 in San Francisco. Is this of any interest to you? I"ll be looking forward to your response.

-- cece wagoner (cece@infowest.com), July 16, 2003.

I too have a Galleazzi accordion. It was made for my grandfather before the San Francisco earthquake. My grandfather used to play this accordion in dance halls in San Francisco at the turn of the century. He was in San Francisco during the Quake. he had been over there playing and couldn't get home for quite a few days after the quake. He lived across the Bay in Alameda and the ferry boats didn't run for a few days after the quake. I can't remember anything more right now. The next time I talk with my Father I will get the entire story on it. Also if there is anything you can tell me about the accordion please pass it on.

Dave Perata

-- Dave Perata (the3dps@hypersurf.com), August 08, 2003.

I also have a Galleazzi Accordion/Contertina from my great- grandfather (Archangelo). The story is he played it on the French oceanliner he and his family took to bring them to NY. They settled in the Reno/Carson City area. He was a fairly successful silver miner during the Comstock Lode days.... as was his son, my grandfather. My cousin has a second Galleazzi which is similar to mine with alabaster keys and a silver plate with San Francisco, Cal imprinted as well as two eagles and American Flags. I also would like information that anyone may have. My cousins instrument has a patent date of 1896. Thanks, Mike Dondero

-- Mike Dondero (mdondero@cox.net), July 21, 2004.