Hohner Marine Band Harmonica: Museum Object and Cultural History
Hohner Marine Band Harmonica: date made: 20th century. maker: Hohner, M.. Object Name: harmonica.
The object in the museum catalogue
This harmonica was made by M. Hohner in Germany, 20th century. It is a Marine Band model in the key of A major, with 10 holes and 20 reeds. It has a medium-brown and black stained wooden comb, with metal cover plates attached with screws. The harmonica is embossed and engraved:
This harmonica was previously owned and used by American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, James Henry Cotton (1935-2017). Early in his career, Cotton performed with several blues musicians including Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. By 1965, he fronted his own group as well as developing his solo career. Cotton made several recordings as a leader and with other prominent musicians on labels such as Verve, Buddah, Chess, and Alligator.
Materials, dates and provenance
- date made: 20th century
- maker: Hohner, M.
- Object Name: harmonica
- Physical Description: wood (overall material)
- Physical Description: metal (overall material)
- Measurements: overall: 3/4 in x 4 in x 1 in; 1.905 cm x 10.16 cm x 2.54 cm
- place made: Germany
- ID Number: 1991.0367.01
- accession number: 1991.0367
- catalog number: 1991.0367.01
- Credit Line: Gift of James Cotton
- 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.
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