LIP RIPPER
101 posts
Jul 30, 2009
6:53 AM
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Well, I bought this mouse ear dated sometime in the late 20's to early 30's. The paperwork that came with it has 1927 on it. The paperwork is a whole other story. It talks about Abe Lincoln playing his Marine band regularly. Back to the harp. It's in the key of "G". With a little guidance from Dave at Elk River and a little pursuasion from some of you to keep it stock I restored it. I noticed that it is made very well. The tolerances were tight and uniform compared to other harps that I've worked on. I used Dave's sanding/sealing technique and Chris' emboss/arc-gap technique. I just put it back together this morning. This is a wonderful piece. It takes very little air and overblows easily. The harp was $22.50 and the sealer was $12 so I have a total of $35 invested. As I played it I wondered about the person that bought it new and where in life's travels it has been. Hey, I guess the wooden combs ain't so bad after all. :>}
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LIP RIPPER
102 posts
Jul 30, 2009
7:40 AM
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Yep, price included shipping. If I could figure out how to post a photo I would.
Last Edited by on Jul 30, 2009 7:42 AM
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jonsparrow
685 posts
Jul 30, 2009
7:41 AM
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dam. i been searchin on there for one. is there a secret to finding them? what did you search for?
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LIP RIPPER
103 posts
Jul 30, 2009
7:43 AM
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No, they come up from time to time. Some look pretty rough but this was a good one.
Last Edited by on Jul 30, 2009 7:43 AM
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jonsparrow
687 posts
Jul 30, 2009
7:44 AM
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nice. congrats on the find.
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LIP RIPPER
104 posts
Jul 30, 2009
7:46 AM
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There was a member on here, "Moose", he bought one several months back and was going to restore it. When I saw the bidding at over 50 bucks I questioned why and he explained. He ended up buying it. Ya still out there Moose?
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jonsparrow
688 posts
Jul 30, 2009
8:37 AM
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to post a photo if you can get the pic to your computer make an account on photobucket.com then upload your pic. then copy an paste the HTML code here.
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
121 posts
Jul 30, 2009
9:23 AM
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Any chance of scanning that paper? I'd love to see it, cause it's pure bullcrap, and I love that kind of thing. There is no evidence that Abe Lincoln never played a harmonica and the Marine Band came out 30 years after he died.
I would love to see that! That's awesome! Wish I had such a paper.
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LIP RIPPER
105 posts
Jul 30, 2009
9:44 AM
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That's a good idea Dave. My only concern is that closing the lid on my scanner might compromise the old binding. I may have it wrong about the claim of Abe playing a Marine Band. I'll read it again. There is also some so-called quote from Honest Abe about his mouth harp let me see what I can do about scanning it. It was fun to read.
LR
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harpwrench
54 posts
Jul 30, 2009
10:03 AM
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I have a whole box full of prewar Marine Bands, from mouse-ears on up, from not-so-good to absolutely mint condition, in a variety of keys. I need to do an inventory of what's what, I've decided they're for sale. Would be cool to find someone wanting to get into the pre-war Marine Band restoration business.
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
124 posts
Jul 30, 2009
12:04 PM
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OK, don't close the lid ;)
I presume it goes like this: Scene is the Lincoln-Douglas debates, Abe says, in all honesty and humility "Douglas might have his brass band, but my trusty harmonica is all I need."
What else is in that brochure? There was one Hohner put out in the 70s and 80s that had a bunch of junk like that in it.
Last Edited by on Jul 30, 2009 12:05 PM
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LIP RIPPER
106 posts
Jul 30, 2009
2:01 PM
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Dave,
the douglas debate is mentioned. "This is my band. Douglas had a brass band with him in Peoria, but this will do me."
Then it goes on to say,
When we are reminded that Abraham Lincoln in the zenith of his career regularly played the Harmonica-and history shows it to be the only musical instrument that he ever did play-it might prperly be said that the Harmonica is the "instrument of democracy."
How bout this alledged quote from Irving Berlin.
"It is positively amazing to observe the way in which young America has taken to the Harmonica. But then I am not surprised. The Harmonica was the first instrument I ever knew. The first musical instrument I ever played was a Hohner Harmonica. It is entirely natural that a healthy youngster should take to the Harmonica, and from the Harmonica it is but a step to another musical instrument and musical education. It will not surprise me if the Harmonica swiftly becomes a most important factor in making America a more musical nation."
Last Edited by on Jul 30, 2009 2:04 PM
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