Hering Diatonic Accordion

Continuing the "Too Much Interests For Only One Life" saga, this is my newest passion.

This little accordion was made in Brazil in the late 70's-early 80's by a small factory founded in 1923 by Alfred Hering, a German immigrant who was Hohner's, the also German harmonica and accordion industry, sales representative in the country.

The post-war Germany was struggling with a deep economic crisis and it was almost impossible for the German immigrants to import musical instruments and other goods from their motherland. Alfred Hering saw an opportunity to start his business.

The company was called Fabrica de Gaitas Alfred Hering (Alfred Hering Harmonicas Factory) and was owned by the Hering family from 1923 to 1966. It was then sold to Hohner, that left Brazil in 1979, selling the factory to a Brazilian group. Hering Harmonicas Factory finally went out of business in 1990. At that time it built harmonicas, accordions and musical toys. The brand and part of the machinery was then sold to another Brazilian group that builds exclusively harmonicas today. The accordion production line was sold to Minuano Acordeons, one of the two Brazilian accordion makers that still survive.

Almost no historical information on this company remained, although it used to sell harmonicas and accordions all over the world. The factory building was demolished in 2005.

This accordion model is called Hering Beija Flor (Hering Hummingbird) and you can see the little bird painted in the front right side. This model was produced since the 1920's. There's no record on the origin of this name but I suspect it comes from an old superstition. Back in those days people believed that those who wanted to become skilled accordion players should find a hummingbird nest, take the tiny eggs and smash them in the hands. The eggs' content would magically turn you into a virtuoso...poor birds.

I am actually learning how to play the accordion because I love the traditional music from the south of Brazil. You can hear Renato Borghetti, one of the greatest traditional accordionists, playing a song here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFU8RmeNFQk