Re: [Harp-L] history page of the week: a tale of two catalogs and the rise of M. Hohner

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I forgot to mention that one of the harmonicas in the non-Hohner section of the 1912 catalog has wood coverplates. Also, in the 1912, they talk about the chromatic like it's a new thing.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 9, 2012, at 15:56, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I'm glad you brought this up Dave. A pet peeve of mine for DECADES. People tend to give credit for the popularity of the harmonica to this guy or that guy. Well they're wrong. THIS is what made them popular. Sears & Roebuck. At one time the ONLY store for almost 90% of the American population to buy from. 
> smo-joe
> 
> On Jun 9, 2012, at 3:46 PM, David Payne wrote:
> 
>> A comparison of the 1902 and 1912 Sears and Roebuck catalogs. You can see clearly what an impact Hohner's establishing its U.S. office in New York(in 1901)  had when you compare. There's also a page there from the 1877 Macy's catalog that's the earliest reference to a harmonica in a mail-order catalog I've seen. Also a very interesting, modern looking Hohner chromatic in the 1912 catalog.
>> 
>> http://www.elkriverharmonicas.com/harp_school/mail_order_catalogs 
>> 
>> 
>> David Payne
>> www.elkriverharmonicas.com
>> 
>> 
>> Elk River Harmonicas Forum now available via Iphone app, www.elkriverharmonicas.com/forum
>