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April 2nd, 2007, 07:57 GMT · By

Gold and Crystal Harmonicas from Hohner

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The Gold Edition, limited to 150 pieces
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IT manufacturers brag about having a 5-year-old heritage and proudly display the "Since 1995"-type badges much to the IT-consumers' content and giving them reasons to brag themselves upon the brands they use and how old they are- thus so experienced. If 10 years means "old" then what could 150 years of technology mean? And frankly, usually, the actual oldest groups in the tech industry are the music instruments companies.

Take Hohner, for example, because this piece of news is about them: this is their year, by far - stepping into their 150th year of existence after having produced millions of instruments
now spread on the entire planet and watching their name grow to become one of the most respected names in the branch.

And to celebrate so many years spent in the music instruments business, Hohner comes in with a very special edition of one of their most acclaimed instruments: a harmonica based on the MS reed plates with crystal glass combs and coming in three versions.

The most expensive and the true "flagship" of all harmonicas, the Hohner Gold Edition is by far one rare and coveted item: first of all, the Gold Edition is actually gold-plated and engraved and there are only 150 of them all in all. On each, the manufacturer has engraved the serial number as well so things are clear: these are rare things! And to make it more exclusive, the Gold Edition comes in a leather-fitted case with a special anniversary booklet.

Second in line is the Chrome Edition, a limited series as well but a larger one: the Chrome-harmonicas have numbers between 1 and 1,857, for obvious reasons, MS reed-based too and come with the same crystal glass comb as the top edition. You'll get the anniversary booklet as well when getting your hands on a Chrome Edition Hohner.

Early Hohner model
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Hohner in its early days.
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Finally, the third, "Standard Edition" harmonica is a bit less blazing than the previous two as it has a clear acrylic comb and sports no noble metal plating; nevertheless, the special engraving is still present and the harmonicas come in neat, wooden boxes loaded with 12 such pieces. So far, we don't know whether the Gold Edition will be available and if so,where will that happen; people will be able to buy the Chrome and Standard Editions in Hohner-agreed stores.

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Comment #1 by: Don Martens Jr on 02 Apr 2009, 23:50 UTC reply to this comment

Just DISCOVERED A VERY OLD HAMONICA, Hohner, in ORIGINAL Blue and Whitish box, perfect condition is box and literature.Had been used for singing, but EVERYTHING IS FINE! Date, Serial Number, and all the rest, clearly, clear. otherwise I woulldnt be able to tell you now, it is, as i am not a instrument guy. Dated 1870-1871, Marine Something, Hohner , a, with Serial Number, clearly visible. acquired from a box of dead grandpas old box, i had not opened until now 2009.27 since his passing.What is worth? Any ifo on worth is appreciated. Sincerely Don Martens Jr

Comment #1.1 by: doug dawson on 09 May 2009, 22:45 GMT

Hello Don,

I am a harmonica collector living in Canada. Can you tell me a bit more about your find? Is it a Marine Band? Length? How many holes? Are the ends of the cover plates attached by two separate tabs at each end or by one wide tab with two nails? Is there a picture on the box. Any extra info you can provide will help me date/price the harp. Doug

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