Hohner Chromonica Chromatic Harmonica: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a Chromatic Chromonica 260 model in the key of C, with 10 holes and 40 reeds. It has a wood and metal comb with metal cover plates attached with screws and nuts, and a metal slide with a metal button. Accessioned with an original alligator-embossed plastic case. The harmonica is engraved:

THE “CHROMONICA” (CHROMATIC HARMONICA) MADE BY M.HOHNER GERMANY

Materials, dates and provenance

• maker: Hohner, M.
• Object Name: harmonica
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Physical Description: plastic (overall material)
• Measurements: harmonica: 1 1/16 in x 5 7/16 in x 1 1/2 in; 2.69875 cm x 13.81125 cm x 3.81 cm
• Measurements: case: 1 3/8 in x 5 7/8 in x 2 1/4 in; 3.4925 cm x 14.9225 cm x 5.715 cm
• place made: Germany
• ID Number: 1989.0669.01
• catalog number: 1989.0669.01
• accession number: 1989.0669
• Credit Line: Gift of Elton L. Howe
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.