September 2003 The Call Vol 5. Issue 3

Dedicated to the collection, preservation and sharing of information for the Harmonica collector A Publication of Harmonica Collectors International

4. Top: “Over 68 Years”, 25 million 68-year level. Here are a few of the sold annually. Side prices start at 50 models listed on the pyramid that cents, plus Grand Prix Philadelphia you can research. If you can find 1925 with two mediations. This is data and report back to me, I will the most rare of the four. put the information in the next The BRAVO Newsletter. (It is sort of a research Item #2 has some unusual make up project). Models to look for: 132, History of harmonicas and also a higher 346, 1896, 605, 3CND, 152, 153, price structure than the other 54- 146, 254 and 453. Have Fun! HISTORY OF THE HOHNER year pyramid, the prices are at the PYRAMID ROTATING DISPLAY The Editor I thought that with the article on restoration of the display, a little C.H. Weiss, Model 24 (9), The history and associated data was in Worlds Triumph, 10-hole order. diatonic, 4” x 1” with box. The Hohner wooden rotating display was first introduced in 1911 (we The UP TO DATE think). I have seen models at the The Trumpet Call Hohner Museum, made of metal by Latest Finds Harmonica Collectors International both Hohner and Koch and believe LATEST FINDS P.O. Box 6081 theirs to be a much earlier vintage. Chesterfield, MO 63006-6081 The pyramid stands approx. 32” M Hohner Kaiser Wilhelm, high, including the base, which is 11” Deutsche National Musik, 20-hole Gretsch, Playboy, 10-hole x 10 1/2” and holds a large spring and tremolo with 4-tab cover plate diatonic, 4” x 1”, made in a crank to wind it. and a sport logo. Comes with a Germany. A very rare Gretsch hinged box, 6” x 1 1/8”. model with box. Cost of these great displays run the M. Hohner Capathnkam, 16- gambit from $300 to $1,000 depending on the following: Condition, operation, original crank handle, how much hardware is included and in one case, rarity. This is the 1926 Philly model. The display units in my collection include four different models. They are distinguished by the wording at the double hole tremolo, star in logo, top and the prices on each side. 5 1/2” x 1”. Made for the Harmonica As Toys 1. Top: “Over 54 Years”, 8 million Greek(?) market. Has a zinc reed sold annually. Side prices start at 25 plate and comes with a box The United States Board of General cents. Appraisers, in a decision on May 25, sustained the protest of Geo. Borgfeldt & 2. Top: “Over 54 Years”, 10 million Co., the “Wholesale Dept. Store,” that sold annually. Side prices start at 50 cents. harmonicas costing less than 1 mark (24¢) 3. Top: “Over 68 Years”, over 25 were dutiable as toys. The authorities cited million sold annually. Side prices B.A. 1003 and 4679 to fortify their opinion. start at 50 cents. Music Trade Review Vol 38 No 24 1 8 pg. 39 6-11-1904 springs made but the best deal I could to drill new holds, since many times the The Trumpet Call find was for a minimum order of 500 at old screws have broken off in the Published quarterly The Bates piece has a one-piece $1 - $1.25 each. If anyone has a source display. Putting a thin coat of clear By The Harmonica Collectors style with each trumpet tube or if we can get a collective requirement varnish over the wood to preserve the International formed as a single piece. of 500 springs, I will look into it further. lettering may be a good idea, although, Membership Fee The OLD STANDBY at this time it is still under However, the “L” shaped screws can be consideration. You do not want to alter $25.00/Year USA - $30.00/All Others Communication with HCI experts Repairs - Restoration - Inventory replaced and will hold the harps without Alan Bates and Harland Crain the original too much. The CHIMEWOOD the springs. You can purchase #1534, 1 Here is a picture of the hooks, before Ads - Buy - Sell have not determined why or when 11/16” screw hooks at Walmart or a Trade $5/Ad Submitted Articles HOHNER PYRAMID DISPLAY and after. the construction difference was HARDWARD MODIFICATION hardware store. It is a lot of work, but H. Crain Maximum - around 25 - 40 words the result is excellent (the idea, by the Members - No Charge The "Basch" PIPEOLION introduced. Functionally both The wooden rotating display stand is way, is the brain child of Rick Nielsen). (Article submitted by Don Basch) one of the most dramatic and dynamic Send all correspondence, letters, ads, displays ever designed for the retail Step #1: You must straighten out the articles, photos, comments to: Excitement arrived at the Basch trade. The display has a separate base hook end. I used a vise and The Editor household recently when a with a windup spring and crank. The hammer.Step #2: Once flattened, you HCI package was delivered from eBay stand holds nine harps on each of its must decide where to make the “L” P.O. Box 6081 auctioneer Shirley in Janesville, four sides. It utilizes two “L” shaped curve. I used the vise again to bend Chesterfield, MO 63001-6081 screws and a steel spring for each and a hammer to flatten the ends a bit. e-mail [email protected] Wisconsin. Don is a Charter Member of HCI and continues to harmonica. Many of the pyramids have Step #3: You need to paint the screws. Officers: expand his personal harmonica some of the hardware missing. I use a spray can of brown enamel to Harland Crain, President collection. Inside the package I have looked into having the steel match the wood color. You may have Alan Bates, Vice President was a wonderful PIPEOLION Rick Nielsen, Treasurer harmonica manufactured around Harland Crain, Secretary/Editor 1907 by Ch. Weiss in Trossingen, Richard Smith, Club Historian Germany. Prices are also a limiting factor. Being in a anxiously to get home where I can check work the same. If anyone out large urban area, costs are high generally my resources in dating the harmonica. speaking. I have found that traveling out of Pouring over past issues of The Trumpet SUPPORTERS: Don had won the piece over there can shed some light on this question please do give me an the greater Los Angeles area to outlying Call becomes my tireless pursuit. S.P.A.H. several other excited bidders in a small towns helps not only in finding that Hohner, USA recent eBay auction. Shirley later email. The mouth side of the wood special harmonica but also involves lower prices. Although I have been collecting for several NHL (National Harmonica League) revealed that she had acquired the base is covered in nickel plated The ECHO years, my collection is small. Hearing UK) metal. Lettering is impressed with Letters to the Editor My wife and I make a day of it, driving 50 about other collectors’ experiences is piece at an estate auction a few to 100 miles away from Los Angeles to interesting and educational. It’s also a way AHN (American Harmonica months earlier in the Janesville gold paint into the wood base Newsletter) proclaiming: "Full organ tone; NOTES OF A HARMONICA search for something new or different. We of connecting with a memory of my father Harmonica Player (Germany) area. She had paid a mere $155 find it relaxing to get out of the city in hope who played in a 30-man harmonica band for it (or about ten percent of Patent applied for; Pipeolion COLLECTOR German Harmonica Museum IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA of finding something. I also attend antique for a short time in the 1920’s. Every timeI Don's final cost) and unbelievably, Trade Mark; and Made toy shows when I can. find harmonicas pre WWII, I think of how Trossigen, Germany by Ch. Weiss." The seldom- By Donald Kern Harmonica Educator USA she had only one other person my father might have played one just like it. photographed underside of this Harmonica Collecting in Southern Regardless of the outlet, its’ the hunt that’s bidding against her. Goes to show important as much as the object itself. you there still are opportunities piece has the full music score with California can be challenging. While in So for all harmonica collectors out there, DEPARTMENTS: notes for "Home Sweet Home" today’s world more and more reliance on There’s a sense of adventure, not knowing I’m sending greetings from the West Coast. • The ECHO - Letters to the Editor out there for finding rare if that day I will be successful. And if I am, harmonicas at bargain prices. nicely imprinted in gold. This E-bay and the Internet is becoming the Happy hunting to you all and thanks for • The CHIMEWOOD - supposedly provided the player norm, it doesn’t satisfy the feeling of the the rest of the day is elevated. I am caught your thanks for your contributions to Submitted Articles Don only wishes he had been at actual article held in my hand. To be able up in continually turning over the prize in my knowledge. that earlier auction to bid against with his/her music score readily at my hands, testing it for tone, waiting • WORLD RENOWN - hand. to test a harmonica before purchasing is People, Places & Things her. important to me. I am a harmonica player • The BRAVO - History as well as a collector and one of my criteria • OLD STANDBY - The Pipeolion is an unusual early Fortunately, Don's Pipeolion came for selecting a harmonica is that it be in Repairs, Restoration, piece with a blow reed plus a draw with its original box in good working order. Inventory reed assembled inside each of ten remarkably good condition for its • UP-TO-DATE - Latest Finds age. Examples with the original My collection began as a means of brass trumpet tubes or horns surviving the boredom of following my wife • The WARBLER - extending out the curved back of box are considered quite rare. Special Announcements The blue/gray box is hinged to in and out of collectible shops. To pique • The TUCKAWAY - its rosewood base. This is the first my interest I decided I was going to collect known attempt at such a design. reveal a bright red interior. The an item which would help me pass the time A great find for Buy, Sell, Trade identical large colorful gold • ATTA BOY - Member Information Don's find is slightly different and focus my attention. The idea of Harry Ridge from the example on display in the trimmed label is applied to both harmonicas immediately came to mind. * For a complete set of past issues wonderful Alan Bates Collection The sense of challenge is to find those in send $20 + $2.50 S/H for each year, at the National Music Museum. good repair. Going from store to store in 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, The "Basch" Pipeolion has a two- Southern California, harmonicas are not and 2001-2002 available. Overseas piece horn construction with each in plentiful supply. I have had to practice shipping cost will vary. trumpet horn formed with a rolled patience, waiting for that special find to collar attaching it onto the tube. surface.

2 7 the inside and outside of the cover. copyrighted 1907. It features a It pictures the Pipeolion in all its cover article by Ch Weiss claiming glory and claims it to be "The new the Pipeolion to be "the easiest of musical instrument" and "The all reed instruments to play." grand Solo Instrument" with a Inside, there are detailed The BRAVO cherub heralding that "Anyone instructions for how to play it, History toys. In 1979, a Brazilian group quality, returned the company to its can play it!" The manufacturer followed by two pages of blow/draw bought the Hering Company and origin, as a producer of harmonicas Mr. Ch Weiss is proudly pictured schematics for playing four songs. The Hering History Hohner left. Brazil. as its sole interest. and described as "Always (2000) Many improvemnts have been Harmonious," whatever that The Pipeolion incorporated into the already high meant. …What a wonderful centerpiece Hering Harmonicas of Brazil, is quality product line, including for any harmonica collection. proud to announce the introduction The slightly yellowed four page of their complete line of harmonicas original instruction sheet that also By Don Basch and related accessories to the U.S. came with the piece was prepared (Email: [email protected]) and Canadian markets. by Frank Scribner and is

SOME CAUTIONS FOR which side of the plate you select for test. At one of those harmonica players who have REED CHANGING SUCCESS this point, because the new reed will be flat, gathered a grocery bag full of old Marine a couple of scratches with a file at the tip will Reed changing is not for the klutz-type Bands, Special 20”s, Golden Melodys or bring it up in pitch. Do not overdo with the the likes . . . you can realize a bit of extra repairperson. It takes a lot of patience, file. To check the actual pitch quality of the attractive packaging. The selection and finesse, and determination. Many service out of your investment . . . simply replacement, a tuner will be needed, unless by doing the reed replacements. After 16 years, in 1996, a group of of harmonica models has been repair technicians do not want to bother you can trust your ears. Tuners are investors, with Mr. Alberto increased to cover all the market with the task you are about to begin; and available from F & R Farrell Co., or from Video instruction – John Infande (904) Bertolazzi as a leader, purchased the needs - both chromatic and diatonic, there are certain tools, techniques, and Kevins Harps, and music stores. 873-0303 corporation. Mr/ Bertolazzi and his and sprecialty instruments including accessories you should have available to 8506 E. SW 93rd St. management team, with a visin of tremolo and octave tunings, student use for this reed changing operation, in Riveting might suffice, but if you are using a Ocala, FL 34481-92212 order to have good success and producing prducts of the highest models and mini-harmonicas. bolt and nut, the hole in the reed plate might Reed Replacement Brochure – Buckeye satisfaction. not be quite large enough to accommodate State Harmonica Club - $7.50 the bolt shank. A drill with a .047” body Jack Ely (614) 488-4629 First, of course, is a tool kit. Tool kits are will be needed. (About $1.15 at a good available from Bill Romel, and F & R 1991 W. Third St. industrial supply outlet.) Another Columbus, OH 43212-1704 Farrell Company. (John Infande has alternative is to tap the plate hole with a No. suspended making tool kits.) By ordering 90 tap. Tools-Reed Kits-Tuners – F & R Farrell Richard I. Smith’s instruction brochure Co. 1-800-438-3543 you will have a good guide for procedure, At this point you realize that the reed P.O. Box 133 and suggestions for making simple tools change is possible, somewhat sophisticated, Harrisburg, OH 43126 Founded by Mr. Alfred Hering in and jigs that will help you do this job. and not too formidable, yet not exactly for the person who is all thumbs. But if you are Tuners from Kevins Harps – 1923 in the city of Blumenau, in the Once you have removed the broken, 1-800-274-2776 south of Brazil, the Hering company disfunctioning reed (carefully), you may has long enjoyed a reputation as a find that you can use the old rivet over world leader in the manufacture of again. A small reed wrench (that straddles fine harmonicas. the reed butt), homemade, or from a tool Members Please Contact: kit, is used for loosening the reed for Zan Robinson freeing it from the plate. Much care must be taken so as not to bend the reed plate 1300 N. French Rd. which will cause trouble when refitting to Buffalo, NY. 14228 USA the comb. (A bent plate will allow air Price of CD is leakage.) $15 Plus S/H Next, assure that the reed does not interfere with the slot at the tip end. (Opposite end from the rivet, or bolt Zan is now a HCI member. attachment.) Sight down the length of the You may recognize the name reed plate to see if the new reed has the as Zan was amember of the same arching above the plate as the other Harmonica Rascals. After the death of Mr. Hering, the reeds. (See the Smith guide about how to company was sold in the middle of re-arch a reed that sets too flat, or too close the 60’s to the M. Hohner Company to the plate.) of Trossingen, Germany. At that You are at the stage for sounding the reed. time, Hering was also manufacturing The little tube gizmo (from the Smith accordions and a variety of musical instructions) will be useful depending on 6 3

FROM THE FOUR WINDS…A RARE TRIPLE ÆOLINA AND A TYPOTONE BOTH ADDED TO THE ALAN BATES COLLECTION Wheatstone introduced is own version of the All three will be shown together in public for the German Mundœline - the Æolina, a thin, pocket- first time, when the Museum’s exhibition, sized predecessor of the harmonica, measuring less Beethoven & Berlioz, Paris & Vienna: Musical than 4” x 2” x 1/4”. Fittingly named in honor of Treasures from the Age of Revolution & The CHIMEWOOD Aiolos, the divine Greek administrator of the four Romance 1789-1848, opens at the Washington Submitted Articles winds, the Æolina consisted of a series of thin Pavilion in Sioux Falls on September 12. strips of a new alloy, argentum (nickel silver), Sir Charles W. Wheatstone (1802-1875), the fitted into parallel rows of rectangular opening in 19th century British accoustician and electrical an agentum plate and set into vibration “by a engineer who is best remembered in scientific gentle breath alone”. circles for his life-long research concerning the The earlier German-style Ælians. characterized by electric telegraph, also contributed the English in 1829 as “universally popular on the substantively to the development of electro- Continent”, were available in a variety of sizes, magnetic clocks, typewriters, Morse code according to The German Æolian Tutor (London transmitters, stereoscopes, and an artificial 1830). These included a tiny, four-note version; a voice device. However, it was his curved “trumpet Æolian”; a two-octave chromatic experimentation with freely vibrating “springs” model; a three-chord “Pandean Æolian”, (thin strips of metal) - Wheatstone stamped his name on each reed plate in the Museum’s triple Æolina. first seen on the seemingly identical to the rare Pandean Æolian by Wheatstone & Co., a business association among Wheatstone, his father, and his Continent with Lewis Zwalen, New York, ca. 1831, that came to younger brother, was located at 20 Conduit Street (between New Bond Street and Friedrich Ludwig the Museum (NMM 9591) with the Alan G. Bates Regent Street by 1829 and remained there until 1897 Buschmann’s Collection in 2000; and, a large, “eight-chord introduction of the Pandean Æolian mounted on a handle. vibrating reed, made of hallmarked gold, is Mundœline, a free- attached to an opening in the center of the tiny, reed. chromatic Wheatstone, however, produced only two- and mother-of-pearl plate, about the size of a postage tuning device three-chord Æolians, of which fewer than a half- stamp. developed in dozen are known to survive. The Museum’s rare, Germany in 1821 Deep grooves cut into the long sides of the mother- that forever linked of-pearl enable the player to hold the device Wheatstone’s name securely between his teeth. Merely breathing over with the history and the free reed sets it into vibration, freeing the development of free player’s hands t tune his violin or viola. The reed instruments in original, leather covered box also survives, with Great Britain. TYPOTONE stamped in gold across its red cover. These tree rare instruments - Wheatstones’s triple In 1828 while Æolina, Zwahlen’s Pandean Æolina, and preparing his Pinsonnat’s Typotone - are among the earliest patent for NMM 9591 Pandean Æolina by Lewis Zwahlen, New York, ca. 1831. Like the nascent Wheatstone’s triple Æolina Zwahlens’ rare, sixteen-reed model is arranged surviving examples of the European development concertina, in three chords: G, D, and C, and survives with its original box. of free-reed instruments. As such, they provide a Alan G. Bates Collection 2000. critical historical foundation for the other 2,500 harmonicas in the Alan G. Bates Collection. recently acquired three-chord model features NMM 8206. Typotone (tuning device) by Pinsonnat, nickel-silver reed plates, each with eight exposed Amiens, ca. 1830. The maker’s name and serial reeds of equal length, tuned to the chords of A, E, number (64) are inscribed on the front; the gold reed and D (tonic, dominant, and subdominant). The is hallmarked with the letter P, inside a diamond. reed plates are held together by a frame made of four strips of ivory fastened together with delicate, nickel-silver rivets. The instrument’s original case, lined with cream- colored silk, survives almost as it looked when new, nearly 175 years ago, sporting a bright red, leather flip-top cover with a delicate acorn and oak-leaf design stamped in gold around the outside edge. Another very early free-reed instrument, contemporary with Wheatstone’s Æolina, has also been added to the Alan G. Bates Collection. The An article in The Harmonica (London, 1829) describes Wheatstone’s triple Æolina and Typotone, patented by Pinsonnat of Amiens, documents the maker’s use of argentum (German silver). a “new metallic alloy” of nickel, France, January 17, 1829, and approved for use copper, and zinc, several years before the first commercial production of nickel silver in NMM 10,434 Triple Æolina by Charles Wheatstone, London, ca by the Conservatoire de Musique in Paris, is a England in 1833 1830. Original case. Purchase funds gift of Alan G. Bates, West tuning device built to sound “A”. A freely 5 4 Grove, Pennsylvania, 2003