Hohner Double Bass 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 Double Bass model with 48 double holes, and 96 reeds. This harmonica has an orange-stained wood comb with metal cover plates attached to the top and bottom with nails, and nuts and bolts. Accessioned with original leatherette covered box with purple plush and metal fittings. Cast on the metal cover plate:

This harmonica was previously owned and played by Johnny Puleo (1907-1983), an American harmonica player and actor. Puleo got his big break after performing at a contest held by harmonica player and actor, Borrah Minevitch (born Boruch Meinewitz, 1902-1955), and leader of the group The Harmonica Rascals. After Minevitch’s death in 1955, Puleo formed his own group, The Harmonica Gang. The group performed throughout the world and made several recordings during their association. Puleo appeared in several television programs and films.

Materials, dates and provenance

• maker: Hohner, M.
• Object Name: harmonica
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Physical Description: leatherette (overall material)
• Measurements: harmonica: 2 9/16 in x 23 1/4 in x 1 3/8 in; 6.50875 cm x 59.055 cm x 3.4925 cm
• Measurements: box: 2 7/16 in x 24 in x 3 3/8 in; 6.19125 cm x 60.96 cm x 8.5725 cm
• place made: Germany
• ID Number: 1991.0265.01
• catalog number: 1991.0265.01
• accession number: 1991.0265
• Credit Line: GIft of Josephine M. DeRosa and Louise H. Puleo
• 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.