Triple chord harmonica
Maker
Matthias Hohner, Inc.
Date1950-1960 ca.
Place MadeTrossingen, Germany, Europe
ModelPolyphonia No. 8
Serial No.None
SignedStamped on the front casings of all harmonicas:Left side: M. HOHNER’S / [medal containing a nude woman and a harp] [medal containing laurel leaves] / MADE IN
Center: TRADE MARK [two hands extending from smooth cuffed, buttoned sleeves holding a medal] GESETZL. / GESCH. (written around the inner edges) / M. HOHNER
Right side: [medal containing a bird facing left] / [medal containing a wreath] / GERMANY
Stamped on the back casings of all harmonicas:
Left side: [medal containing a wreath] [medal containing a bird facing left] / MADE IN
Center: TRADE MARK [two hands extending from smooth cuffed, buttoned sleeves holding a medal] GESETZL. / GESCH. (written around the inner edges) / M. HOHNER
Right side: [medal containing a nude woman and a harp] [medal containing laurel leaves] / GERMANYMarkingsStamped on the front casings, center above trademark: POLYPHONIA
Stamped on the front casings, below the trademarks: 1) MOLL / Bb F C G D A E B GES DES AS ES 2) DUR / DES AS ES Bb F C G D A E B GES 3) SEPT / AS ES Bb F C G D A E B GES DESDescriptionTriple chord harmonica in rectangular shape, with a hinged three-part construction and adjustable angles. Chrome- or nickel-plated brass cover plates. Wooden combs with single- and triple-chamber construction for single bass notes and 3-chord notes. Each harmonica has 12 single and 12 triple-chamber holes (chords). Brass reed plates. Total of 144 reeds. The blow reeds produce the I (tonic) chord, the draw reeds produce the V (dominant) chord. The harmonicas are: major seventh chords (MOLL), major chords (DUR), and minor chords (SEPT). Original black, purple velvet-lined, hinged case.Dimensions12-1/2 x 4 inches ProvenanceNo known provenance.Published ReferencesSilva, Ana Sofia. "Digging the Fifties: A Curatorial Perspective on 50 Objects from the NMM Collections." NMM Notes (October 2023): 16.
Credit LineAlan G. Bates Collection, 2000
Object number08450
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