Vintage harmonicas?

[Stilettoprefer]

Digging through the basement I found a really old harmonica. I asked my dad where it came from and he said that my grandfather used to play it a lot and that it is probably older than he (my father) is (he's 55).

The harmonica says "carmen" in red letters and has "made in Poland" stamped on it.

At the moment it hardly plays (I have to use a lot of air to get the lower register to sound, and I play trombone so I gots some good lungs) but sounds nice. and I can't for the life of me find a serial #







Is there a market for vintage harmonicas? Haha we're trying to find out how much this thing is worth (if anything).

[SurferJoe46]

Don't force it to make sounds until it gets serviced. Blowing too hard can ruin the reeds.

I don't know this particular harmonica, but get it looked at by a professional before it gets destroyed.

You might have something valuable there.

[Stilettoprefer]

Thank you! I'll have to look around for a specialist that is local (didnt even know that harmonica specialists existed until now).

I have only blown in it that one time and figured that it probably shouldn't be played if it requires that much effort. So I went back to my little jazz harp and diddled on that instead:P

I think that it's just dirty since it was sitting in the gross basement for many years without a case (also looks like it was squished at some point). But I won't take it apart and try cleaning it since it might be valuable.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

A valuable harmonica from Poland???

Well I guess anything's possible .

I'd say what You have there is what was/is referred as a "sailors harmonica" IIRC. The harmonicas by Höfner and the like, were relatively expensive, so there was cheaper alternatives for travellers as well.

However, the fact that it's not riveted design, would suggest some level of repairability.

If that was mine, I'd pop the lids and the reed plates off, straighten the lids and give the reed plates an alcohol bath.

+1 for not derstroying the reeds by blowing too hard. Do that, and it is scrap.

Regards
Sam

[SurferJoe46]

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