Richter Diatonic Harmonica: Museum Object and Cultural History
Richter Diatonic Harmonica: date made: ca 1900. maker: Richter. Object Name: harmonica.
The object in the museum catalogue
This harmonica was made by Richter in Germany, about 1900. It is a Diatonic harmonica in the key of F, with 10 holes and 20 reeds. It has a wooden comb with metal cover plates attached with screws to the top and bottom. Accessioned with a period carboard box. The harmonica is embossed:
This harmonica was previously owned and used by American classical harmonica musician, arranger, and composer, Stanley (Stan) Harper (1921-2016). Harper performed nationally on radio, television, theater, and film. He made several recordings for Decca and Coral.
Materials, dates and provenance
- date made: ca 1900
- maker: Richter
- Object Name: harmonica
- Physical Description: wood (overall material)
- Physical Description: metal (overall material)
- Physical Description: paper (overall material)
- Measurements: harmonica: 5/8 in x 3 7/8 in x 1 in; 1.5875 cm x 9.8425 cm x 2.54 cm
- Measurements: box: 3/4 in x 4 1/8 in x 1 1/4 in; 1.905 cm x 10.4775 cm x 3.175 cm
- place made: Germany
- ID Number: 1991.0196.01
- accession number: 1991.0196
- catalog number: 1991.0196.01
- Credit Line: Gift of Stan Harper
- 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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