|
|
|
| Home | Collections | Calendar | Gift Shop | FAQ | Site Index | Maker Index |
Treasures from theAlan G. Bates Harmonica Collection The Museum celebrated the arrival of the new millenium with the grateful acceptance of the Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection of more than 2,500 instruments, plus some 600 harmonica recordings and extensive archival materials and ephemera, including posters and other colorful marketing materials. This inclusive collection tells the story of the harmonica from its first beginnings in Europe in the 1820s to its current popularity around the world. Filling what had been a major gap in the Museum's encyclopedic collections, the Bates Collection is an unparalleled resource, second in size only to the Harmonikamuseum in Trossingen, Germany, and contains many unique items found nowhere else. This small exhibition of instruments and other objects, listed below, shares with you but a few of the many treasures in the Bates Collection. The Museum has also loaned a second exhibit of vintage harmonicas from the Bates Collection to The Music Man Square in Mason City, Iowa, where it is currently on view. 1) Harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, Germany, ca. 1995. Blues Harp, owned and played by Stevie Wonder, soul musician. NMM 9642. 2) Cane harmonica, France, ca. 1890. Textured silver handle, hallmarks, and ebonized stick with brass ferrule. NMM 8949. 3) Cane harmonica, England, ca. 1900. Ten sounding holes with a pattern of 14 escape holes on the back side. NMM 8948. 4) Cane harmonica by Swaine & Adeney, London, ca. 1860-1915. Ten sounding holes. NMM 9280. 5) "Fiddle Tone" toy harmonica by Spec-toy-culars, U.S.A., ca. 1950. Red plastic violin with a playable, 4-hole harmonica mounted in the end. NMM 9625. 6) "Mamma/Next to None" toy harmonica, Japan, ca. 1950. NMM 9617. 7) "Marine Orchestra" bell harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1920. A rare variety with tulip-shaped bells, not listed in any catalog. NMM 8397. 8) Double-sided bell harmonica, Germany, ca 1885. Unusual trademark includes a logo, stamped Dresden, 1876. NMM 8636. 9) Four-sided Mira harmonica by Andreas Koch - a major Hohner competitor in Trossingen - ca. 1920. A rare example, of which no others have been reported. NMM 7717. 10) "Banana-Band" by F. A. Rauner, Klingenthal, Germany, ca. 1925. Harmonica is mounted inside a wooden banana. NMM 8494. 11) "Koh-i-Noor" jeweled harmonica by F. A. Böhm, Klingenthal, ca. 1925. NMM 8978. 12) "Clover Harmonophone" by Ferdinand Strauss Co., ca. 1900. A player can sing through the mouthpiece or get a "wa-wa" effect by waving one's hand in front of the "funnel" opening. With original box and instruction book. NMM 8409. 13) "Tom Sawyer" harmonica by H. Rauner, Klingenthal, after 1936. Promoted and sold by Borrah Minevitch, leader of the Harmonica Rascals. NMM 7769. 14) "Huckleberry Finn" harmonica by H. Rauner, Klingenthal, after 1936. Promoted and sold by Borrah Minevitch, leader of the Harmonica Rascals. NMM 8778. 15) "Echo Elite" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1950. Catalogs describe it as "Streamlined" and "Ultra Modernistic." NMM 7519. 16) Full-size "Miniature Boomerang" harmonica by C. A. Seydel Söhne, Klingenthal, ca. 1930. Made for the Australian market. NMM 9085. 17) "Baby Deluxe Boomerang" harmonica by C. A. Seydel Söhne, Klingenthal, ca. 1930. Miniature harmonica shaped like an Australian boomerang, in hinged case. NMM 8362. 18) "Boomerang Grand" chromatic harmonica attributed to C. A. Seydel Söhne, Klingenthal, ca. 1935. One of many models made for the Australian market. The cardboard box is stamped, Made in Switzerland, perhaps because of growing hostilities. NMM 8509. 19) "The Auto" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1924-1930. Cover plates are brass, stamped in the shape of an open-top touring car of the period. NMM 8281. 20) "Gold-Fisch" harmonica by Andreas Koch, Germany, first introduced in 1905. More than a toy! NMM 9232. 21) Miniature "Saturday Night Special" harmonica, Japan, ca. 1950. Built for the American market. Plays eight notes. NMM 8721. 22) "The Kentucky Home" harmonica by C. H. Meinel, Schloßmeinel, Germany, ca. 1900. Sliding covers allow easy access to the reeds. NMM 8051. 23) "The Finest Liliput-Harmonica" by A. A. Schlott, Klingenthal, ca. 1930. A miniature harmonica stamped with the outline of a violin on both sides, complete with its original little tin box. NMM 8243. 24) Pitch Pipe, Germany, ca. 1925. Adjusts to play major or minor triads in any of twelve keys. NMM 9177. 25) Pitch Pipe in A and C, made in the form of miniature brass binoculars, ca. 1900. NMM 7686. 26) Pitch Pipe by Cook & Read, U.S.A., ca. 1877. Chromatic. Fan-shaped top stamped PAT. DEC. 26, 1876/STANDARD/COOK & READ. NMM 9106. 27) Pitch Pipe by James Bazin, Massachusetts, ca. 1825. Ingenious, variable-pitch, brass pitch pipe. NMM 8924. 28) Miniature harmonica, nine carat gold-plated, ca. 1930. The smallest, fully playable model known. NMM 7509. 29) "Aero Band" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1909-1924. Both the cover plates and the box depict a zeppelin, with central pictures of Hohner and Ferdinand von Zeppelin. NMM 8148. 30) Harmonica in C by M. Hohner, Trossingen, for Tiffany & Co, New York. Sterling silver (92.5) case work. NMM 8443. 31) "Merry Gipsies" novelty harmonica, Germany, ca. 1950. A zany combination of harmonica, cymbals, and drum, create a "Gipsy Band." NMM 9778. 32) Harmonica by Filipp (Philipp) Brunnbauer, Vienna, ca. 1885. Built for exhibition with brass covers that still show traces of the original gold plating and enameled flowers. NMM 9597. 33) "Loudspeaker" harmonica, imported from Germany for re-sale by the Ferdinand Strauss Harmonica Co., New York, patented November 10, 1925. With original box and instruction booklet. NMM 7820. 34) "Musical Cigar" harmonica by F. A. Böhm, Klingenthal, ca. 1930. Complete with ash! NMM 9155. 35) "Babe's Musical Bat" by F. A. Rauner, Klingenthal, 1927. Five-holes, plays ten notes. Babe Ruth game souvenir from the 1927 pennant game with the Pirates. NMM 8244. 36) Figurine of a man with a harmonica and guitar. Limited-edition polystone, made in China by Loomco Products, 1994. NMM M-174. 37) From left to right: Row 1:Pin, "Ring My Chimes, Gil Chimes Orchestra, 914-664-4141," ca. 1950. NMM M-213. Pin, "Jerry Murad's Harmonicats," by Badge-a-Minute, LaSalle, Illinois, ca. 1955. NMM M-214. Pin, unidentified harmonica trio, by Badge-a-Minute, LaSalle, ca. 1950. NMM M-215. Row 2:Pin, "Borrah Minnevitch", ca. 1950. NMM M-216. Pin, "Borrah Minnevitch, Johnny Puleo, Ernie Morris, and other 'Rascals' from the movie, The Rascals, starring Jane Withers," ca. 1938. NMM M-217. Pin, sailor on a warship playing a Hohner harmonica, by Badge-a-Minute, LaSalle. NMM M-218. Row 3:Pin with Hohner's logo, "Hohner Boy," by Badge-a-Minute, LaSalle, Illinois, ca. 1950. NMM M-219. Pin with Hohner's logo, "Hohner Boy," by H.A.S. Novelties, Toronto, Ontario, ca. 1950. NMM M-220. Miniature harmonica attached to a pin by M. Hohner, Trossingen. The instrument plays. NMM 7231. Row 4:Pin, "National Harmonica League." NMM M-223. Pin, gold-plated, a ten-hole harmonica and the letters HPI, by Entenmann-Roverco, Pico Rivera, California. NMM M-224. Pin, "Chromatic" ten-hole harmonica. NMM M-225. Pin, "Golden Melody" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen. NMM M-226. Row 5:Pin, "Chromatic" ten-hole harmonica. NMM M-227. Pin, "The 64 Chromonica harmonica," by M. Hohner, Trossingen. NMM M-228. Pin, Hohner's "Meisterklasse 580" harmonica by Future Primitive, U.S.A. NMM M-229. Pin, "Marine Band" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen. NMM M-230. 38) "Monte Cristo" harmonicas attributed to Charles Weiss, Trossingen, ca. 1898. Imported for re-sale by Lyon & Healy Music Company, Chicago. Boxed set of three in A, D, and G. Wooden combs painted silver; metal cover casings are gold, silver, and copper. Original, flip-top wooden case, lined with red silk. Nos. 8955, 9800, 9801. 39) Pipeolion by Christian Weiss, Trossingen, introduced in 1907. Unique instrument with ten brass horns, each containing two reeds. Only made for four or five years. Never copied! Examples with original box are rare. NMM 9486. 40) Harmonette by M. Hohner, Trossingen, 1926-1933. Octave-tuned harmonica is mounted in a harp-shaped wooden resonator. NMM 7899. 41) "Fidelio" bell harmonica by Andreas Koch, Trossingen, ca. 1925. Unusual mounting arrangement for the two bells. NMM 9602. 42) "Trumpet Call" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, introduced in 1906. The five brass horns are purely decorative. The most desired of all harmonicas by most collectors, but not particularly rare. Original box. NMM 8293. 43) "Trumpet Call" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1923, although there are no decorative trumpets. High-relief designs with cherubs and trumpets on both brass cover plates. NMM 8121. 44) Recessed bell harmonica, ca. 1895, based on the trademarks. A rare example with one bell recessed into the cover plate on each side. NMM 7848. 45) Echo-Luxe "Century of Progress" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, 1933. Commemorates the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair. Produced in different enameled patterns and colors. NMM 7711. 46) "Trumpet Organ" by Andreas Koch, Trossingen, ca. 1910. Early example, with five brass horns and cylindrical resonating chamber. Competed with Hohner's "Trumpet Call," but which came first is not known. NMM 8687. 47) Hohnerette, model 3B, by M. Hohner, Trossingen, introduced in 1906. Called a high-class blow accordion, this example has five brass decorative horns, ten buttons for blow/draw notes, a bass key, and a chord key. Original box. NMM 8334. 48) Rolmonica player harmonica patented by Rolmonica Corp., Baltimore, ca. 1928. Blow or draw and turn crank to play one of hundreds of songs available on paper rolls. NMM 7868. (The Bates Collection also includes an all-metal prototype Rolmonica, ca. 1925, for which each paper roll has its own crank [NMM 7988]. The later, commercial models have a spring-loaded crank, as part of the instrument.) 49) "Examina" harmonica-testing bellows by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1920. Though still made today for use in music shops, this example is one of the first designs, now obsolete. NMM M-251. 50) Four-sided, paddle-wheel harmonica, Germany, ca. 1885. Hand-engraved floral decorations on each cover plate. NMM 9291. 51) "Tremolo Sextet" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1939. Tuned in six keys. NMM 9212. 52) Three-sided harmonica by Georg Bruckbauer, Vienna, ca. 1880. Sometimes called "paddle wheels." NMM 8989. 53) Double-sided harmonica with handles by Jos. Tyszka, Budapest, ca. 1888. Rare example by a non-German maker. NMM 9197. 54) "Polyphonia" chord harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1936. Used for playing chord accompaniment in C, F, and G. NMM 9348. 55) "Æolian" chord harmonica by Lewis Zwahlen, New York, ca. 1831. Chords in C, D, and G. Sixteen brass reeds, one reed per hole, with a wood casing on the top and the reed plate exposed below. The few other surviving examples were made in Europe and none to our knowledge has an original cardboard box, which is lined, in this instance, with blue silk and carries the label, Sold at The Depository of the Arts, Bourne's, 359 Broadway, New-York. A second cardboard flip-top box (not exhibited) fits over the first box and has a red shoestring tie. NMM 9591. 56) From left to right: Row 1:Miniature harmonica in A, Japan. Pearl model. NMM 8144. Miniature harmonica, Japan. NMM 8147. Miniature harmonica in A, China. OK Golden Cup model. NMM 8149. Row 2:Miniature harmonica, Japan. Airplane model. NMM 8151. Miniature harmonica in A, in Germany. Memory model. NMM 8369. Miniature harmonica in A, Brazil, ca. 1990. Hering model. NMM 8730. Row 3:Miniature harmonica, campaign promotion for Edward J. Barrett, Secretary of State, 1945-1953. NMM 9156. Miniature harmonica, Japan. Ace model. NMM 9814. Miniature harmonica, Japan. Ace model. NMM 9815. Row 4:Miniature harmonica, Japan. Ace model. NMM 9816. Miniature harmonica, Japan. Ace model. NMM 9817. Miniature harmonica, Japan. Ace model. NMM 9818. Row 5:"Echo Elite Harmonica" prototype pin by Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1957. NMM M-276. "Chromonica I Deluxe" prototype pin by Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1957. NMM M-277. "Chromonica I Deluxe" prototype pin by Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1957. NMM M-278. "Chromonica II Deluxe" prototype pin by Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1957. NMM M-279. 57) Harmonetta by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1970. An internal jungle of springs, wires, and levers made this complex instrument obsolete in about 20 years. Yet, people still play it! Has solfege markings, rather than note names. NMM 8469. 58) "Marine Band" harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1930. A very rare design, not shown in Hohner catalogs. NMM 9596. 59) Chord harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1960. Plays 48 major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords in several keys. Rhinestones were added later by the owner. NMM 8169. 60) "Chromatica" bass harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, after 1936. Provides the bass notes in harmonica ensembles, especially trios (like the Harmonicats). NMM 8704.  National Music Museum
|