Tombo Lee Oskar Major Diatonic Harmonica: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This harmonica was made by Lee Oskar Harmonicas in Japan, about 1990. It is a Major Diatonic harmonica in the key of B-flat, with 10 holes and 20 reeds. It has a black plastic comb with metal cover plates attached with screws and nuts. Accessioned with original plastic case. The harmonica is embossed:

Lee Oskar Harmonicas was founded in 1983 by harmonica virtuoso Lee Oskar, in collaboration with Tombo Manufacturing of Japan.

This harmonica was previously owned and used by American singer, harmonica player, and recording artist, Junior Wells (born Amos Wells Blakemore, Jr., 1934-1998). During Wells’ nearly 4-decade career, he performed internationally and made recordings with several blues musicians including Muddy Waters, Earl Hooker, and Buddy Guy. He also performed with The Rolling Stones. Wells made several recordings for States, Chief, and Delmark labels.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: ca 1990
• Object Name: harmonica
• Physical Description: plastic (overall material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 1/2 in x 4 in x 1 1/8 in; 1.27 cm x 10.16 cm x 2.8575 cm
• Measurements: harmonica: 3/4 in x 4 1/8 in x 1 1/8 in; 1.905 cm x 10.4775 cm x 2.8575 cm
• Measurements: box: 1 in x 4 3/8 in x 1 9/16 in; 2.54 cm x 11.1125 cm x 3.96875 cm
• place made: Japan
• ID Number: 1991.0294.01
• accession number: 1991.0294
• catalog number: 1991.0294.01
• Credit Line: Gift of Junior Wells
• 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.