Hello all,
I’m new here and primarily joined to learn more about the markings found on Hohner harmonicas (and also how to play better!). For instance, can anyone tell me about the circular markings with things like “Grand Prix Geneve 1927” and “Grand Prix Philad” found on the Echo tremolo or the “ULM 1871” and “Stuttgart 1881” found on the Crossover? Is there any sort of resource (websites, books, etc.) where the various Hohner markings are explained?
Thanks!
It’s a good question, hopefully someone knows. It’s not obvious from a super quick look at the hohner wedsite or wikipedia article.
I’d guess the grand prix ones refer to awards the company got.
Hmmmm… Wondering if @Boaz_Kim_Music might have any insight into this?
Hi. Yes, basically those markings on the bottom coverplates on most Hohner harmonicas represent awards the company received in recognition of something, I think usually their designs. Sometimes these markings change overtime on certain models because the company won a newer award. I think usually the last one that is marked on certain models is dated around 1937. For some reason the Marine Band 1896 model didn’t update their award stampings like some of the “chromatica” models did. This is carried over on the MB Crossover model like you mentioned. As for books, I believe some of the information is in some of the harder to find harmonica history books. I might have one or two in my collection that that go into some detail. I do know the one Hohner museum book has some faulty info on different harmonicas - so some of the info about the awards might be off in that book.