Monthly review of all things harmonica. CD’s, Vinyl, Gigs, harps and other stuff.
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
#636 Now for something completely different that relates to a harmonica I was gifted some time ago. The last Gowings store closed in 2006 and this commemorative harmonica stock somehow became available for other music stores. My curiosity was piqued on how many it was limited to (obviously not 500 as my specimen is #636) … Continue reading Going Gowings Gone
Jack Harrison (1931 - 2013) My son found this beauty in an op shop for me. Western Australian Jack Harrison was a music prodigy from the age of five when he first blew melodies from the ten hole diatonic mouth organ. One year later Jackie, as he was known, presented his talent to radio 6PR’s … Continue reading ‘Huckleberry’ Harp Hound
Shep’s 1938 (?) Hohner Piccolo Following on from last month’s look at the Hohner trademark variations, I had mentioned I might take a look at my Hohner Piccolo harmonica (High G) with the star in the trademark. I have. Piccolo translates to small and this diatonic measures in at a fraction longer than three inches. … Continue reading Pocketless Piccolo
Giddy Up I revisited my 1950’s Hohner Lone Star Rider and noticed two anomalies. Firstly, the six sided star is present (usually an indicator of pre WWII) and secondly, the label in the box suggests it was made in the 1930’s (4,500 men & 25,000,000 harmonicas per annum). One thing I’ve learnt on my harmonica … Continue reading Cowboy Reins
Popping up in my research a few years back was evidence of the existence of a Jazz Master Chromatic. Victorian Laurie Smith evidently possessed one. A year after publishing this information, so did Canadian collector Doug Dawson. Where did he locate this Australian brand harmonica? Of all places in Sweden. Doug Dawson’s specimen. Recently I … Continue reading Wizard Master Blaster
Started out seeking fortune and glory It's a short song, but it's a hell of a story, when you spend your lifetime trying to get Your hands on the Holy Grail Mark Seymour Eureka! Lucky strike! Location: Tamworth the heart of Country music and former venue of the now defunct Hohner Golden Harmonica Championship. The … Continue reading Barran (The Holy Grail)
That’s wot’s in the box. An old 1934 Crackajack counter top display. Courtesy of the Lumsden family whose Great Uncle exhibited in his Newsagency. David Lumsden kindly provided extra detail to HRR. “My great uncle's name was Cliff Cairns and his newsagents was at 524 Toorak Rd, Burwood, at the then tram terminus. He ran … Continue reading Honeycomb Home
Cuckoo Accordion Antiques give history context and history gives antiques context. Left: My first (& I’ll say last) accordion. Right: Sawtell & Consoli were advertising the Cuckoo Accordions in 1926 Look what I stumbled on in Wonny. A cousin of my Cuckoo mouth organ, a diatonic button accordion where bellows blow the air over the … Continue reading Cuckoo Again!
Harmonica Riff Raff 