Aero Band Zeppelin, Graff Zeppelin, Los Angeles Airship, Sirena Model, Coin Harp Model

Aero Band Zeppelin, Graff Zeppelin, Los Angeles Airship, Sirena Model, Coin Harp Model 

Images from The Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (5)

Aero Band Zeppelin Harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1909-1924

NMM 8148.  Aero Band harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1909-1924. Both the cover plates and the box depict a zeppelin, with central pictures of Hohner and Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Brass cover plates once had a thin plating of silver.  Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Graf Zeppelin Harmonica by Seydel Söhne Co., Klingenthal, ca. 1930

NMM 9631.  Graf Zeppelin harmonica by Seydel Söhne Co., Klingenthal, ca. 1930. The airship era, 1900-1937, brought forth many toys and other replicas of lighter-than-air vehicles. The Graf Zeppelin made history by circling the globe in 1929. The harmonica forms the gondola of the airship, with the casing extending to form the blimp. 4" long.  Alan G. Bates Collection, 2002.

Los Angeles Airship Harmonica by C. A. Seydel Söhne, Klingenthal, Germany, ca. 1926

NMM 7735.  Los Angeles airship harmonica by C. A. Seydel Söhne, Klingenthal, Germany, ca. 1926. America's most successful rigid airship was the Los Angeles, first flown in 1924. Made in Germany for the U.S. Navy, the ship was 656 feet long, carried 46 tons of cargo and 20 passengers. The harmonica forms the gondola on this 8" model. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Sirena Model Harmonica by Andreas Koch, Trossingen, ca. 1925

NMM 10230.  Diatonic harmonica by Andreas Koch, Trossingen, Germany, ca. 1925. Sirena model in shape of a cat with a gold finish. A simple, child's toy, with only six reeds. Ex coll.: Deutsches Harmonika Museum, Trossingen. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2003.

Coin Harp Model Harmonica by Carl Strauss, Germany, after 1902

NMM 10268.  Diatonic harmonica by Carl Strauss, Germany, after 1902. Coin harp model. Harmonica patented in England, May 27, 1902, by Carl Strauss, 355 Broadway, New York, and in Germany in 1903. Original cylindrical box labeled U.S.A. Coin Harp / No. 200 / The latest novelty / Made in Germany. One end has a glass cover over a "dexterity puzzle" with 7 pockets and 7 tiny white balls that, with a little patience, can all be maneuvered into the pockets. The other end is a coin holder with a spring-loaded plate that pushes down, when a U.S. nickel is inserted. Three Liberty Head nickels (dated 1904, 1905, and 1910) currently reside there, but easily slide out, when pushed with one's thumb. All 20 notes play with a nice tone. This is not a cheap toy. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.