A recent acquisition to the collection from a Brisbane second hand dealer was The Lone Star Rider Hohner Harmonica. Not really in my wheelhouse (except for the the price), but I was having withdrawal symptoms having not acquired any Aussie ‘Arps for some time. I remember when I was young and the world had just … Continue reading Yippee ki – yay!
Ernest Garibaldi Hosking conjured his inaugural appearance on this mortal coil at the gold mining town of Ballarat in 1861, the seventh child of Samuel Hosking and Mary Hosking. He was a compositor by trade and employed on a ‘spiritist’ newspaper in Melbourne. Ernest was a man of many talents, one of which was the … Continue reading Hosking’s Haunting Harp
After 13 year-old Peter 0'Halloran, of 2 Dalton Street, Wagga, was injured in a street accident on Friday night and all he was worried about was his mouth organ. The lad was playing the mouth organ while riding a bicycle, and he had a bag over his head to protect him from the rain. He … Continue reading Mouth Organ Crash – Short Snort (Organ) #8
Following on from presenting my Suzuki Animatronic last month, I thought I would reveal my Hohner counter swivel shop display. Shaped like a ten hole tin can (only plastic) harmonica. It houses twenty harmonicas that can be viewed through Perspex windows. My counter top display features eight autographed harps by Aussie greats. From top to … Continue reading Hohner Houses
Cobber: Australian and New Zealand informal - a friend/mate (male). Word origin: from dialect cob to take a liking to someone Source: Collins English Dictionary. Bauer & Krause Here I go again off to find the maker of the Aussie Cobber mouth organ sold exclusively by Jackson & MacDonald of Druitt Street, Sydney. We had … Continue reading On The Trail Of The Cobber Coach.
MOUTH-ORGAN playing is the finest breathing exercise there is, according to Mr. William Bell, of Collingwood, a clerk at the Melbourne Water Board. Mr. Bell, who is 59, attributes the fact that he's never had a day's illness to his 50 years of playing the mouth-organ. He showed us an impressive scroll, two and a … Continue reading Ring – a – Ding – Ding / Short Snort (Organ) #7
Animatronics: of, relating to, or being a puppet or similar figure that is animated by means of electromechanical devices. (Merriam-Webster) Suzuki Blues Man One of my favourite advertising memorabilia in my eclectic collection is this Suzuki animatronic. These were probably only for use in music stores in the 1990’s. My fella is in great working … Continue reading Animatronics
Geelong Warders At The Footy The Daily Telegraph, Sydney 15th June, 1931 Things were pretty rosie between inmates and wardens at the Geelong Gaol back in 1931 when the prisoners offered to be locked in their cells an hour earlier than usual to allow more warders to attend the Geelong versus Richmond match. It would … Continue reading Jailhouse Jive
Former S.A. Cricketer With A.I.F. Ray Robinson, who played interstate cricket for New South Wales and later for South Australia - he was with Prospect club in district games - is with the A.I.F. in Palestine. He did well in cricket games played by an A.I.F. team in a tour of Egypt. Robinson is giving … Continue reading Come In Spinner – Short Snort (Organ) #6
Homage to the mouth-organ the "bushman's orchestra" - was paid by a professor of music at the Merrylands and Cumberland District Eisteddfod on Saturday. He was Professor C. Sauer, who carries the degree of A.Mus., and holds diplomas of Art at London, Paris and Sydney. “I love the mouth-organ because it has such a soothing … Continue reading The Professor & Merrylands
Harmonica Riff Raff 