Blog

Hammerin’ On The Blow

Back in 1971 Daddy Cool released their Lollipop Extended Play. The ‘A’ side was titled the ‘Jump Side’ and the reverse the ‘School Side’. The idea was to feature each of the lads vocally on one of the songs and, in one case, his instrument of choice. Now I wasn’t a big fan of their … Continue reading Hammerin’ On The Blow →

Jazzamatazz

Here It Is! Doug Dawson, Canadian super collector, has done it again! He has discovered the Jazz Master Chromatic - it exists! There folks in all of its glory - in a lovely blue container. Where would you think Doug picked up this late 1930’s rare Aussie classic? You’d be wrong, ‘twas Sweden. For more … Continue reading Jazzamatazz →

Leather Earache & Graphite Dogbeard!

Max Geldray If you’re wondering why the title (What! What! What!) it is taken straight from Neddy Seagoon’s (Harry Seacombe) ‘north and south’. Neddy introduced Max Geldray’s harmonica interlude on a Goons’ episode (extract below) with this unique reference to Max’s instrument. Needle nardle noo! Although a wee bit before my time, repeat episodes of … Continue reading Leather Earache & Graphite Dogbeard! →

Suisse Piece

Pretty pleased to have stumbled over this beauty - a pretty slick Suisse Boomerang Chromorgan. This model and the Grand Chromorgan (there was no De Luxe model) were briefly produced in Switzerland after WWII. Albert’s Boomerang mouth organs were manufactured by Seydel, who were under occupation by communist Russia after WWII - so briefly Albert’s … Continue reading Suisse Piece →

The House Of Spouse

Aerial view of Atheneum (front) and Coliseum (behind) -corner of Little Bridge and Grenville Streets in Ballarat Welcome to the house of Spouse a large edifice that went under an even larger title, the Coliseum. It was on a cool, late October afternoon in the historic gold mining town of Ballarat that P. C. Spouse … Continue reading The House Of Spouse →

Tubular Organ

Left: My recent acquisition Right: Echophone graphic from a 1953 Hohner catalogue. By happenstance I was able to add this beauty to my collection. I think part of my fascination with the Echophone is the link back to Sydney Dickens of Carlton, Melbourne who had an invention of the same name and type back in … Continue reading Tubular Organ →

Topnotch Palings

W H Paling & Co was founded by William Henry Paling, who was born in Rotterdam Holland in 1828. When he turned thirty, he headed to the 'Great Southland' disembarking in the Port of Sydney. His first enterprise (pictured right) consisted of not more than a tin shed in York Street, Wynyard. In 1883 he … Continue reading Topnotch Palings →