Fran, being an accordian player myself, I have to agree with you about the learning possibilites from the accordian especially the left hand and how the bass buttons are arranged, 4th's & 5th's. A great help in transposition of songs.
I've had a few wonderful teachers myself also in Philly.

I got my first accordian in 1950. It was made in Italy where me and my mother picked it up.
Got my second one in 1953 which was an Excelsiola. My father paid $750.00. That's the one I stil have and it still works great.

I wasn't able to identify the make of your accordian from the above picture. What make was that?