NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT Two - In - One A ten-hole harmonica is used, and the four centre holes are drilled right through the back. These holes are then closed by means of an improvised valve of the accordion type, which can be made from a small spring paper clip. A suitable kazoo is … Continue reading The Great (Harmonica) Kazoo
Hans Rolz - The Embassy As many of you are probably aware I do love a fluted harp and I was happy to place Hans Rolz’s The Embassy into my humble fluted harp collection. I located this gem in a quaint antique emporium just a torpedo punt over the Victorian border in the town of … Continue reading Morovian Embassy
Albert's Boomerangs were big in 'Terra Australis' right from the gecko. Made exclusively by Seydel for Frank Albert. You might not be aware that Seydel's Bandmaster, similar in design to some of the Boomerangs, was sold at least as early as 1912 at Flights of Bendigo and even the trademark was lodged for registration 'Down … Continue reading Seydel’s Bob Each Way
(1898). [Tom Fatts versus Hock Keys, at the Golden Gate Club, Sydney, November 29th, 1898 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148541703%5D Late nineteenth century/early twentieth mouth organ bouts were held between pugilistic fights. Australia’s first mouth organ champion was Walter Omond in 1899, blowing on an Albert’s Boomerang at the Golden Gate Club in Sydney. He only had to … Continue reading Harpin Ringside
My recently acquired Crackajack Artist had me delving into the world of harps with fluted covers. The Crackajack Artist (1926) manufactured by F A Rauner is shaped like their fluted World Master mouth organ. ‘Down Under’ we also had the Rozella (1913) by F A Bohm and the Perla (1926) both with fluted cover plates. … Continue reading Fluted Harps
At last, a Boomerang tin of the mouth organ variety to sit in the Shep Dawg collection. Sometimes just collecting the tins can be as much fun as for the item inside. Only paid a blue swimmer and a pink lady. Cheap at half the price! Found an advertisement for Bush Piano mouth organs (three … Continue reading Bush Piano Interlude
Finally I've been able to peek inside the Crackajack tutor booklet. A few gems were discovered from within its pages. The diamond was the Professor's tips on playing the instrument that fits in a waistcoat pocket. Was the Professor the one they termed the Paderewski of the mouth organ? What is a Paderewski? More on … Continue reading Professor & Paderewski
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. No no no, not that type of model, sorry! Australian brand harmonicas up to WWII. Like this.1890’s-The Scorcher (F A Rauner/Feldheim, Gotthelf & Co)-up to 1920 1895/99-The Melba (?/H S Chipman-TM 1895), … Continue reading Aussie Models-Timeline
Hi Riff Raffers, Who holds the title of Collingwood’s ‘Crackajack’ Collier? No it's not either of the footballing brothers Albert or Harry from the late 1920’s through into the thirties. It is Australian Mouth Organ Champion from the same period, Albert and Harry’s cousin, Harold. Harold’s father, Harry Edward Collier was the brother of Albert … Continue reading Collingwood’s ‘Crackajack’ Collier
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
Harmonica Riff Raff 