The world’s biggest private collection of accordions has gone on sale – and it could sell for a staggering £250,000.
More than 750 of the distinctive instruments are being auctioned.
Known to many throughout Europe as “the accordion man”, Ken Hopkins from County Down, Northern Ireland, dedicated decades of his life to collecting and restoring accordions.
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At the time of his death last year (2024), he had amassed what is thought to be one of the largest private collections of accordions in the world.
His collection contains everything from early 19th century flutinas, up to the digital models of today.
Now hundreds of them are going under the hammer at a Belfast auction house priced from £10 to £5,000.
Some of the more unusual items in the collection include an accordion coffee table and television, and an instrument rumoured to have been used to smuggle cash out of Colombia.
Ken ran Ken Hopkins Accordion and Music Services in Belfast for over 30 years, offering a range of musical instrument services such as refurbishments, repairs, tuning, and selling accordions.
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The collection includes many renowned names like Hohner, Soprani, Dallape and Scandalli.
And it took five truck loads to move them to Ross’s Auctioneers and Valuers in Belfast, as reported by What’s The Jam.
One highlight is a Dari Constellation with hand painted reed blocks – an artisan instrument of rare quality.
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A spokesperson for Ross’s said: “This is an astonishing private collection of contemporary masterpieces and rare museum pieces, showcasing an extensive range of the greatest names in accordion manufacturing.
“The sheer variety of the collection offers an important glimpse into the history of the accordion and the evolution of community music.
“Of equal importance in the collection is an impressive array of wind, brass, string and electronic instruments and scarce vintage music boxes.
“Accordion-related ephemera and memorabilia are also to be found: antique music rolls, sheet music, magazines, vinyl records, signed CDs and much more.
“This auction provides accordion collectors, scholars and enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to purchase from this most unique of private collections.”
Ken fell in love with the accordion at a young age, and met his first wife when her father gave him lessons.
Angus Clarke, managing director of Ross’s, added: “It’s very unusual to have a collection of this size.
“We believe it to be the largest private collection of accordions in the world so it’s not every day you get something through the door just like this.
“We’ve had people from all around the world getting in touch, it’s amazing how many of them know about the auction.
“In particular people in eastern Europe – they have a deep-rooted musical traditional with accordions.
“It’s a bit of an unknown but early indications suggest the auction might realise upwards of £250,000.”
The Ken Hopkins Accordion Collection auction ends on 6 August.
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