Hi Raffers, A quick look at an Australian harmonica box owned by Canadian harmonica collector, Doug Dawson, a couple of record reviews and a link to an article written by Mark Weber about a new addition to my harp collection, which is rewriting Chromatic history, Hohner's very first Chromatic, the Up-To-Date model from 1898! Just … Continue reading Hotel Metropole
Category: Harmonica Review
#28285
Hello Raffers, Here we go again a track back (or is that a back track) to the Crackajack. Further evidence the manufacturer was F A Rauner. Just a spelling difference for the Straylian market, perhaps. Registered number 28285 appears in a magnificently presented PDF file entitled, 'A Collection Of Early Box Art 1890-1940' by John … Continue reading #28285
Hohner’s Hollandia (Nova) Harp
Hohner, a world leader in accordion and mouth organ manufacturing, had its share of difficulties in becoming one of the major players in the Australian Mouth Organ market in the early part of the twentieth century. Most models were available in the colonies and they included the popular ‘Up To Date’ and ‘Second To None’ … Continue reading Hohner’s Hollandia (Nova) Harp
Aussie Harmonicas – Timeline
A timeline of Australian models (an attempt), as promised a while back. An up-to-date remastered version is out now. Just click here Remastered. 1896-Woolloomooloo Warbler (Seydel/Alberts) originally had a patent bone lip protector, Kangaroo Chalmer (Seydel/Alberts)-Later that year King Billy (Seydel/Alberts)-two sided & another with bells maybe later at 3s 5d, The Federal Harp-(Ernst Hess/J Hess & … Continue reading Aussie Harmonicas – Timeline
Cobber & Co.
Hello Riff Raffers, Recently I acquired somewhat fortuitously, a ‘Cobber’ harmonica tin. The top of this once colourful tin has a three dimensional graphic of the harmonica that should lie within. However the harp inside wasn’t a ‘Cobber’ and it's name had been incorrectly identified by the seller (maybe a Dawg Blawg down the line). … Continue reading Cobber & Co.
Quest For The Maker
Hi Riff Raffers The epic journey set out on the first of October, 2018. The trekking party consisted of Pat Missin, Ray Grieve and myself. We were in search of a gold nugget. Just as George Leavis Allan had done in 1853 when he took out a gold licence (#88) and went prospecting at Campbell’s … Continue reading Quest For The Maker
