Pipeolion, Trumpet Call, Auto Harmonica

Pipeolion, Trumpet Call and Auto Harmonica

Images from The Alan G. Bates Harmonica Collection (4)

Pipeolion Harmonica by Christian Weiss, Trossingen, after 1907

NMM 9486.  Pipeolion harmonica by Christian Weiss, Trossingen, after 1907. Unique instrument with ten brass horns, each containing two reeds. Only made for four or five years. Never copied! Examples with original box are rare.  Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Trumpet Call Oriental Beauty Harmonica, ca. 1912-1928

NMM 7986.  Oriental Beauty harmonica, ca. 1912-1928. The rarest of the Trumpet Call models, the so-called "Oriental Beauty" features, in the center of the brass plate, the image of an old man with a long beard and large "trumpets" coming out the sides of his mouth. When new, the brass cover plates were coated with "imitation gold" and decorated with enameled colors. Introduced in 1912 and still advertised in 1928. Double-sided, 32 holes, 64 reeds.  Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Trumpet Call Harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1923

NMM 8121.  Trumpet Call harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1923. Hohner made at least five very different models with the name Trumpet Call. High-relief designs with cherubs and trumpets on both brass cover plates. Double-sided, 32 holes, 64 reeds.  Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.

Auto Model Harmonica by Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1924-1930

NMM 8281.  The Auto harmonica by M. Hohner, Trossingen, ca. 1924-1930. Cover plates are brass, stamped in the shape of an open-top touring car of the period, with an ordinary harmonica inside. This very hard-to-find item was produced about 1923. 10 holes, 20 reeds. Alan G. Bates Collection, 2000.