Harmonica owned by Sonny Boy Williamson II: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A brass Hohner Marine Band harmonica owned and played by Sonny Boy Williamson II.

A hand-length metallic harmonica featuring a reddish brown comb with engraved embossing’s on both sides the instrument’s face. The comb has 14 chamber holes. On one side of the harmonica are the founding figure’s bust engraving framed by crossed leaves and “MADE IN GERMANY”. Beside it in light embossing is “MARINE BAND” with “M. Hohner” engraved at the bottom like a signature.

On the reverse side of the harmonica are multiple circular embossed engravings representing the history of the manufacturer. The two handed “GESETZL./GESCH” logo, is featured in the middle. On either side of the iconic logo are circular embossing’s depicting harps, eagles, wreaths, plaques, and years (1983 to 1937), with “MADE IN GERMANY / FRABRIQUE EN ALLEMAGNE” engraved at the bottom, below the M. Hohner embossing.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: ca. 1940
• Created by: Hohner Musikinstrumente GmbH & Co. KG, German, founded 1857
• Used by: Sonny Boy Williamson II, American, 1912 - 1965
• Type: harmonicas
• Medium: brass (alloy), copper, metal and wood
• Dimensions: H x W x D: 1 × 6 5/16 × 11/16 in. (2.5 × 16 × 1.8 cm)
• Place made: Germany, Europe
• Place used: Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Blues (Music)
• Topic: Instrumentalists (Musicians)
• Topic: Music
• Topic: Musicians
• Object number: 2021.59.2
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: No known copyright restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.