Tremolo paddlewheel harmonica, D, A, B, F, C, G
Maker
Matthias Hohner, Inc.
Date1939 ca.
Place MadeTrossingen, Germany, Europe
ModelTremolo Sextet No. 52
Serial No.none
SignedEmbossed on the back casings of each harmonica: Left side: GERMANY (written sideways, reads from bottom to top) PARIS / [medal containing a bust facing right] / 1900
Center: TRADE MARK / [two hands extending from smooth lined sleeves holding a medal with a six-pointed star in the center] GESETZL. / GESCH. / M. Hohner
Right side: CHICAGO / [medal containing a man facing left] / 1893 / MADE IN (written sideways, reads top to bottom)
MarkingsEmbossed on the front casings of each harmonica: EXTRA FEINE / SILBERSTIMMUNG / Key indications stamped on the casings of each harmonica: 1) D 2) A 3) B 4) F 5) C 6) G
Gold edging on the fronts and backs of the combs: M H (intertwined with vines and flowers)
DescriptionSextet paddlewheel harmonica. Six tremolo harmonicas assembled together, each with 20 double holes (2 reed plates with 20 brass reeds each, 40 reeds per harmonica, 240 reeds total). Wooden combs, steel plated covers, and turned handles on each end.
The ingenious design of paddlewheel harmonicas basically allowed the performer to play and quickly switch between different tuned instruments without much effort. The Tremolo Sextet model is still offered by Hohner today. A tremolo harmonica is a type of diatonic harmonica that has two reeds per note, slightly off tuned from a reference pitch, thus creating a “tremolo” or wavering effect in the sound. The cover plates on this particular example indicate it was made for the German market.
DimensionsLength: 200 mm
Height: 22.6 mm
Width: 31 mm
Length with handles: 246 mm
Height of paddle wheel: 90.5 mm
ProvenanceAlan G. Bates Collection, Hockessin, Delaware, 2000.
Published ReferencesNMM catalog: _As Good as Gold: The First 50 Years (1973-2023)_. Vermillion, SD: National Music Museum, 2023. (pp. 67, 74-75)
Credit LineAlan G. Bates Collection, 2000
Object number09212
On View
Not on view
