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 … Continue reading Nulla-Nulla and the Woomera two
The latest inclusion to the Shep museum is this ripper specimen, the Boomerang Miniature Grand. Made by the oldest current mouth organ factory in the world Seydel in Klingenthal, Germany for Albert & Son in Sydney, Australia. This is possibly an antique (or close to) model. 1910 C. A. Seydel Söhne Trademark Trademarked in 1910, … Continue reading Grand Poobah
Two recent acquisitions for the Shep museum. Firstly this Hohner Echo Tremolo (pictured above), which has an interesting back story. The Hohner Echo brand dates back to the turn of the twentieth century. This ‘Made In England’ Echo to circa 1949 post WWII. Hohner had some harmonicas assembled in England using German made parts around … Continue reading England Echo or Don’t Mention The War
14 Double Holes (F A Rauner not identified on either plate) - Doesn’t appear in 1905 Cat Page from Feldheim, Gotthelf & Co 1905 Store Catalogue (Musical Instruments were located on their second floor) Box top inside label Left: Scorcher F A Rauner TM Right: 12 Double Holes (back plate identifies F A Rauner) - … Continue reading Firebrand
Look what I picked up from our local Bazaar. Although not in my wheelhouse, I thought why not. A harmonica made in Japan by Nippon Gakki (later Yamaha). It’s probably about as old as me - pretty old then, vintage, but not antique! They obviously made their way across the Pacific Ocean to our sunny … Continue reading Made In Japan
My latest acquisition. The one after the 266 (I said move over once - and a half). However more likely after the 265 as the 266 was originally the 264 1/2. Confused welcome to the world of harmonica identification. The 48 Chord Harmonica (also known as the Akkorda) was manufactured nearly ten years later than … Continue reading No. 267
Yeah! I know! After finding the Holy Grail (Boomerang DeLuxe) that was meant to be my final purchase. As with any addiction it ain’t easy to give up. This temptation was too much. A fair lump of a harmonica for a price less than a new diatonic was offered with this Hohner Bass Chromatica No. … Continue reading Bassballs
From my collection In 1907 Koch of Germany manufactured the Aussie branded The Kangaroo, however somewhere in time this model hopped over to Switzerland to be manufactured - perhaps during or just after the Great War when Germany was a bit on the nose. This wasn’t the first Kangaroo down under. The Kangaroo Chalmer (1s … Continue reading The Harmonica Hop
The Boomerang Chromatic pictured above was recently up for auction. Going by the hex head cover fasteners and the S.E.Y.D.E.L reverse cover plate, this had to be from the late 90s. Seydel had a few different Boomerangs available late in the twentieth century. I fired off an email to Mark Weber an authority on all … Continue reading Boomatic Chromerang
I’m often asked what I consider to be my prize possession. Although I have a very rare 1898 Hohner Up To Date Chromatic, a Koch Kangaroo and various Boomerangs and Crackajacks, I have to say this one hundred and ten year old Cobber Tin with all its patina fits the bill. Why? Well there’s something … Continue reading Calling all Cobbers
Harmonica Riff Raff 