[Harp-L] Sonny Terry's Harmonicas on eBay

[Tom Halchak]

After taking a little break from the action, I am back at it working on
Sonny Terry Estate eBay auctions.  I just finished listing an even dozen
harmonicas from Sonny’s personal collection.  There six Golden Melodys,
five Marine Bands and one Blues Harp.



You can find all of the eBay listings here:

https://www.ebay.com/usr/bluemoonharmonicas



A couple of thoughts regarding the estate harmonicas.  I am not at liberty
to disclose how many of them are left.  I have lowered the prices, listed
them on eBay in 7 or 10 day auctions, and things are going well.  I am
trying to list at least 8 or 10 per week and they are selling fast.  Once
they are gone, they are gone.  The estate is very motivated to move things
along.  So, if you are thinking that you might be interested in owning a
piece of history, now is the time to act.



In case you are not aware, here are some interesting bits of information
about this project.  I have been acting as an Authorized Agent for the
Sonny Terry Estate LLC since 2016 – almost 10 years.  A big Thank You to
Adam Gussow for introducing me to Delores Boyd, General Partner and Manager
of the estate.



The harmonicas themselves are in various states of condition.  Sonny was
the kind of guy who, when he liked a harmonica, simply played it to death.
The covers are tarnished from being exposed to the oils on Sonny’s hands
and the moisture from his lips and tongue.  Often, the covers are bent or
crushed because Sonny squeezed them so hard with his hands.  The backs of
the combs are frequently scratched up from rubbing up against a microphone
grill or screen.  A common sight is flakes of dried saliva inside the
comb.  To some, this would be the description of a disgusting harmonica.
To others, it is gold.  A harp that is really worn out and perhaps even
dirty, is proof that it was one of Sonny’s favorite harmonicas.



On the other end of the spectrum, we have harmonicas that look to be brand
new, with almost no evidence of being played.  It is impossible to know for
sure, but I have taken multiple photos of each harmonica and have described
them as accurately as I can.  I have had lots of conversations with Sonny
Terry fans, many of whom have purchased estate harmonicas.  Indeed, some
are looking for a Sonny Terry harmonica that shows heavy wear.  However, I
have had several customers who expressed an interest in being able to play
the harmonica they purchase.  I have had a few ask me if I would do some
reed work on the harmonica before sending it to them.  Usually, I decline,
but I do remember doing that on two harps for one customer.  Speaking for
myself, I would be more inclined to buy a harp with very little or no wear
if I intended to play it.



The harmonicas are shipped in an attractive shadowbox display case.  I have
pasted a brief biography and photo of Sonny on the inside, and the
harmonica is held in place by two strong magnets.  The front of the display
case has a hinged opening which provided easy access to the harp should you
want to remove it from the case to show it off or play it.  Each harmonica
comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the estate and while
supplies, last, I am also including an 8X10 black and white photo of Sonny
Terry and Brownie McGhee, suitable for framing.  These are photos produced
by Hohner and made available for Sonny to give away at his live
performances.



Every effort is being made to conduct our business professionally.  We are
also making documentation available which establishes the Chain of Custody
and Provenance of the estate items.    Where can you find something else
that compares to this?

·       One of the most influential and beloved harmonica players in
history.

·       A personal collection lovingly preserved by Sonny’s wife Emma
Taylor Terry

·       A Certificate of Authenticity an unimpeachable source.  Emma’s
niece, Delores Boyd, General Partner and Manager of Sonny Terry Estate LLC,
is a retired attorney and Federal Magistrate and ius currently the Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.

·       Chain of Custody and Provenance



There are certain things that eBay will not allow you to do on a listing –
namely include direct links to other websites.  They don’t want you to use
eBay to promote sales on other websites – which is understandable.



In the past nine + years, we have accumulated some interesting information
that helps tell the story.  In case you are interested, here is some pretty
neat stuff.



It all started when Delores commissioned Adam Gussow to appraise Sonny’s
collection of harmonicas.  In 2015, Adam posted a video in which he
features three of Sonny’s harps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDT4Xt70Omg&t=22s



It was this video that inspired me to reach out to Adam to see if he wanted
any help dealing with this project.  That led to an introduction to Delores
and our agreement to work together,  At the SPAH Convention in 2016, we
managed to put together a Sonny Terry Tribute Performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ycKmefNKfg



My involvement with the estate has garnered some attention and in 2023, I
spent some time chatting about it with Neil Warren, host of the very
successful Harmonica Happy Hour Podcast.

https://www.harmonicahappyhour.com/tom-halchak-blue-moon-harmonicas-interview/



In addition to Sonny’s harmonicas, I do have some very cool stuff that I
will be listing in the upcoming days and weeks.  We are kind of saving some
of the most special stuff to the end.  Stay tuned.  It has been a fun
project.  We are working hard to bring things to a close.  It will be a sad
day when we are finished.  We are much closer to the end than we are to the
beginning.



Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  I have a lot of
original APA Contracts that are signed by Brownie McGhee and Sonny’s
signature is either his famous stamp or his wife,  Emma, signed on his
behalf.  If you have any fond memories of having seen Sonny in person back
in the 70s or 80s, there is a chance that I might have some memorabilia
from that performance.


-- 
*Tom Halchak*
*Blue Moon Harmonicas LLC*
*P.O. Box 14401 Clearwater, FL 33766*

*www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com <http://www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com>**(727)
366-2608*