Diatonic harmonica, G, D, C
Alternate name(s)
- Pandean Aeolina
Maker
Lewis Zwahlen
Date1831 ca.
Place MadeNew York, New York, United States, North America
ModelPandean Aeolina
Serial No.none
SignedStamped on the reed plate: ZWAHLENMarkingsStamped on the reed plate above each reed: B G D B G A F D A F D G E C A E
DescriptionWood casing varnished brown, with 16 holes. German-silver reed plate with 16 brass reeds. One blow-only reed per hole. The instrument has no bottom casing, instead the reed plate is exposed.
This Pandean Aeolina is one of the rarest harmonicas in existence. When made, it was called an aeolina and has three groups of blow-only reeds, built to play chords in the tonic key of G, its subdominant, C, and dominant, D.
DimensionsLength: 149.3 mm
Width: 46.8 mm
Height: 8.8 mm
ProvenanceCollector Alan G. Bates purchased this aeolina on March 1999.
Published References“Instrumental Innovations.” _Wall Street Journal_ (December 7, 2007): p. W4.
Banks, Margaret Downie. "From the Four Winds . . . A Rare Triple Aeolina and a Typotone Both Added to the Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000. Bates Collection." _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 30, No. 3 (August 2003): 4-5.
Same article reprinted in _The Trumpet Call (A Publication of Harmonica Collectors International)_ 5, Issue 3 (September 2003): 4-5.
Larson, André P. _Beethoven & Berlioz, Paris & Vienna: Musical Treasures from the Age of Revolution & Romance 1789-1848. With essay by John Koster. Exhibition catalog, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 12-November 2, 2003_. Vermillion: National Music Museum 2003. (pp 23 and 71)
Larson, André P. “Documenting the Music Industry . . . The Alan G. Bates Harmonica
Collection Donated to Museum,” _America’s Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 28, No. 4 (November 2001): 1-3.
Credit LineAlan G. Bates Collection, 2000
Object number09591
On View
On view
