A couple of new (old) Aussie indigenous named ‘Arps; the Nulla – Nulla and the Woomera. While setting out to determine if a Nugget mouth organ had ever been advertised (I didn’t), I dug up a Nulla – Nulla sold by Beale’s of Brisbane. A Nulla Nulla is an indigenous club used, well, you probably could have a reasonable guess.
I forwarded this find on to the guru Pat Missin and he delved into his trademark collection and located a Hohner TM for said mouth organ. Not only that, Pat came across a trademark for the Woomera and, low and behold, they were sold out of a store in Rockhampton.
The Woomera is a device whereby the First Nations people attached a spear and then flung the weapon using the woomera – a spear chucker. The Woomera, by way of physics, extends the lever (arm) increasing the angular velocity and thus the distance the spear can travel.
The Brisbane Courier Sat 15 July 1916 (earlier less detailed advertisements were 1912)
Although trademarked by Hohner in 1900, the stock advertised by Beale’s may have been old stock. I’ve got a feeling (I just can’t hide) that this may have been manufactured by Seydel. My evidence is twofold. Trademarks usually lasted ten years so Seydel may have then taken it over. ‘Hand Filed Reeds’ was an assertion of Seydel’s which was stamped on the Boomerang Grands and the Boomerang Professional models (sold around the same time as the Nulla-Nulla) and that wasn’t a claim that Hohner frequented.
(1850–1930)
The Beale company was established by Octavius Charles Beale in 1879, however what he was particularly famous for was the manufacturing of pianos which began in 1893.
In 1902, Beale opened a new factory at Annandale Sydney, that was reported to be the largest piano factory in the southern hemisphere. The company patented the ‘Beale-Vader tuning system’. This tuning pin locking system, with a metal wrest plank allegedly managed to prevent the strings going out of tune due to Australia’s fluctuating and harsh climate. Pianos, which all beared his name, were furnished with local timbers for the same reason.
WOOMERA
The Woomera was registered by Kallaene & Herzberg, a Berlin based export company specialising in the Australian market. Pat Missin informs HRR that, “they don’t appear to have been in business for very long and, of course, that doesn’t tell us who actually made them.”
Partners Graham and Amesbury ran the Red Arcade in East Street Rockhampton, just opposite the Supreme Court House. In and around 1913 I believe, the building was then leased by the Commonwealth Bank.
The Red Arcade is probably there somewhere. It would more than likely be a red building at the Paris end of East Street.
Both mouth organs have been added to updated versions of the Aussie named mouth organs timeline here and here.
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Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year Riff Raffers
Harmonica Riff Raff 
Another fascinating read Shep. I have an amazing book about Oceanic tribal art. Hundreds of photographs in it and a huge weighty book too. Your pictures of the weapons here reminded me to go search it out. I think there are some fascinating, and really strange, grotesque art works in there.
That is one impressive piano factory. You write of weather and the need to meet the challenge of keeping an instrument, like a piano, in tune. Reminds us all how important it is to develop improvements to all musical instruments to suit playing abilities. Especially fixed parts that can wear out over time due to stress placed on parts. Harps included. Guitars are a pain at times due to the synergy of all the parts involved.
I wonder….when you find vintage harps and play them, do you find that they are affected by use and stress on the metal reeds. And can you retune them.
Bet your spirits are high, as Christmas is around the whisker-kisker corner. Exciting. Just about to start reading my usual yearly revisit to A Christmas Carol again. Got a beautiful 1930s hardcover version for this year. Need to put it in a bag with some orange and clove essential oil to get rid of the old musty odour it’s took on board. All the Dicken’s Christmas stories within….plus more extra stories I have never read that are added to the normal additional collective. So not a short, one story read this year.
Cheers Shep. Have a grand weekend. All the best. 🍺🥃🥃🎄☃️
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Hey Gray. My vintage and antique harps are for show only. Not game to draw in on them never know what’s living in them. Saying that you can clean them up, retune by filing the reed or even replacing individual reeds (or plates). I had a harp that didn’t play too kindly under heat once. When one of mine blows out I just buy another and play straight from the box. I don’t get as excited as my wife, but maybe when the grandkids arrive I’ll be there. We watch two movies each year, It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. Right back at you. 🎅 S
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I wondered about the harp longevity with constant use. Or even left in a box and the type of storage it has. Too damp or too dry atmosphere, etc.. My electric guitars are a pain with intonation. And going out of tune quickly. Even as I am playing the one song. A contribution of a number of factors really. They need setting up, but when I try they simply don’t behave. And it gets really expensive getting a professional to do them.
I love Christmas time. And my grandkids have added to the magic. I do like the relaxation vibe of carols and songs, log fire and a nice bourbon. Good film choices you have there Shep. Cheers. ❄️💫
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