The Cobber Mouth Organ was made by F A Rauner. Primary evidence Cobber’s covers, shaped and stamped in a very similar design to the early Crackajacks (manufactured by F A Rauner) - note the angles of ‘40 Bell Metal Reeds’ and ‘Registered made in Germany’. In addition, the model type is bracketed below the brand … Continue reading Cobber Verdict Is In! (Beyond A Reasonable Doubt)
James Donnelly 1865 - 1937 Left: NSW Mouth Organ Champion - Mr. F. Donnelly (Sydney Sun, December 28, 1913) Middle: Thomas & Co Newtown Right: James Donnelly as The Grocer in ‘Horseshoes’ (1923) - Starred Oliver Hardy On the 18th December 1913 at the West’s Glaciarium (a skating rink and picture theatre), the Cobber New … Continue reading Cobber Champ
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
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.
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.
Harmonica Riff Raff 