An interestingly named mouth organ that sold Down Under in the 1920's (I think) is the Budgeree - pictured here in Seydel's 1923 catalogue. Budgeree is an East Gippsland town (for want of a better description) which is a relatively short journey from our abode. Blink and you'll miss it as there's only a few … Continue reading It’s All Good (ya know)
Now a word from our sponsors Hohner and their Aussie Vamper. Ch EssDawg
The elusive Hohner Auto Valve Vamper! One in the flesh - picture courtesy of Riff Raffer Mark Hand, all the way from Okriftel. If your interested in detail about this oxymoron there's information here - Hohner’s Hollandia (Nova) Harp. Ray Grieve has published his revised edition of Boomerangs & Crackajacks with newly researched material on … Continue reading Via et Veritas
In following up on our May article on mini moothies (four and five holes) that weighed in at one and three eight inches, here is a quick peek at the small ten holers. The standard diatonic is commonly four inches in length, while the Junior models that many brands supplied were usually a wee bit … Continue reading Three Inches Big
Now a word from our sponsors Albert & Son. Two mouth organs advertised late 19th Century. Ch EssDawg
Having recently cleared the property for a hard rubbish collection, I found a cardboard sign which predates our arrival at this property. I would suggest this was for the sale of the land before the house being built in the mid eighties. It had been jammed up against a … Continue reading Long Haired Freaky People
I stumbled across this 1927 advertisement in an unrelated search, which piqued my interest and warranted further investigation. The Union Company of Elizabeth Street in the City of Melbourne were selling this vest pocket mouth organ for a shilling (post free). It had the added feature of a powerful magnifying glass to view an interesting … Continue reading Beware Choking Hazard!
Happy new month Raffers. Cold and wet here, we've had more rain this year than for the whole of 2019. April was the wettest in sixty years. Stay well and don't inject the disinfectant. Now a word from our sponsors-Magpie Mouth Organs and Macrow's. For more on Macrow's check out the Mouth Harp Mimicry article. … Continue reading NAWFOS #5-Maggies
Strange days indeed. Most peculiar Mama. Had a reply earlier this month to an email I sent in November 2018 from harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite. Nearly fell off my couch! Better late that never. After Memphis Charlie's second album with Ben Harper I asked him this question via his website contact. "Just wondering if Charlie … Continue reading Crackshot
As Neddy Seagoon would exclaim, "What! What! What!" In a previous article (Lip Protector-NFSCD #7) I mentioned a device that was used down under as an aide for learning the mouth organ. The student could practice freely without the advent of any lip issues. In this 1937 advertisement the Glaz-o-phone can only be obtained from … Continue reading What! What! What!
