On View
Musical Crossroads Gallery
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
Created by
Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG, German, founded 1857
Used by
Thornton, Big Mama, American, 1926 - 1984
Date
ca. 1950
Medium
brass (alloy) , wood , metal and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 1 × 3 15/16 × 11/16 in. (2.5 × 10 × 1.7 cm)
Description
A brass Hohner Old Standby harmonica owned and played by Big Mama Thornton.
This bright brass harmonica in the key of ‘E’ with several engravings on front and back and a brown wooden comb with ten chamber holes. On one side of the well-worn instrument, from left to right, is the Hohner company six-point star. Engraved across the top is [M. HOHNER’S OLD STANDBY] with a (raised engraving of) “Founder of the Factory” icon. On the bottom is [REGISTERED / MADE IN GERMANY] and [M.HOHNER]. The numbers one through ten are engraved below.
On the reverse side of the harmonica are several circular embossing’s and engravings representing the history of the manufacturer. From left to right is “D.VERDEIENSTE” (engraved vertically); two circular engraved embossing’s depicting family and a figurehead under “WIEN” (Vienna) with “1873” below them and “ULM / 1871” to their right. To the left of the middle raised engraving of “TRADE MARK” and a two handed “GESETZL./GESCH” logo, are circular engraved embossing’s which read “STUTT/GART / 1881” and “PHILAD / 1876” and “G.R.BRONCE”.
Place made
Germany, Europe
Classification
Musical Instruments
Type
harmonicas
Topic
Blues (Music)
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Jazz (Music)
Music
Musicians
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2021.59.1
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd561ecfe22-8683-499b-bbd2-29059bf4a3b4

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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