The Big Wheeze

It is possible to have too much of a good thing. Here, for example, are seventyfive accordionists, students from Carro’s Accordion School, posed in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1930. This photograph was sent to us by John Hrastar of Wheaton, Maryland, whose fatherin-law, Jack Zorc, is standing fourth from the left in the fifth row. A portrait of the school’s director, Mr. Carro, floats at upper left. As reader Hrastar points out, “to get 75 students, ranging in age from eight to over 40, all holding accordions and dressed in their Sunday best” to gather across town and pose on a hot July day was a considerable feat. When the downbeat was given for a great collective squeeze, there was at least one consolation for passers-by: “Lady of Spain” had not yet been composed.

We continue to invite our readers to send us unusual, dramatic, or amusing photographs—at least thirty years old—that they own. They should be sent to Geoffrey C. Ward, American Heritage Publishing Co., 10 Rockefeller Plaza, N.Y., N.Y. 10020.

As we cannot be responsible for original material, we request that a copy be sent at first. Under no circumstances should glass negatives be mailed. Pictures can be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. A MERICAN H ERITAGE will pay $50.00 for each one that is run.