Matthew Hohner began manufacturing mouth organs in 1857 in Germany and became quite popular over the ensuing years with production reaching over 1 million units in the 1880’s. Control of the business passed to his sons around 1900. By 1920 the company was producing 20 million harmonicas a year. They sold to both sides of the conflict during the first world war. Other musical instruments were made by the company in the 20th century. Ernst Hohner retired from the firm in 1965 after 45 years at the healm. Harmonicas and mouth organs were mass produced in the later part of the 19th and into the 20th century and as such are items with which many people can identify. It has social and cultural significance. The harmonica has chrome top and bottom with wooden section in middle. Box is bright pink with label depicting a musical band in tones of orange and black.Harmonica has Jazz band and Made in Germany engraved on the top. The bottom has engravings M Hohner, Trade Mark Made in Ulm 1873.mouth organ, hohner mouth organ, warrnambool

M. Hohner Hohnerphone diatonic harmonica, it features a metal horn designed to amplify the sound. Harmonica with side amplifier 10 Hole Diatonic Nickel Plated & WoodHohnerphone USA & Germany (Patgated) BC Dunlop System Crackerjack (Professional) Marking: 40 Bell Metal Reeds. Made in Germany by M Hohnerhohner, harmonica, musical instrument

Teenager’s Meccano model in The Age window Whilst Barry’s model is interesting, and he himself is more than interesting – renowned for his lifelong harmonica playing, vaudeville and stand-up comedy as “Mr Versatility” – it is the location of the photo which intrigued us. Was this the photographer’s office, and would it give us a clue to his identity? We thought he might be “Mr Duke” as some boxes of Kodak slides were so named! But we later deduced they were most likely related to the Duke’s Centenary visit to Melbourne. However, they did lead us to The Age archivist Michelle Stillman, who held the key to unlock the photographer’s identity. Louise McKenzie. Photographer notations on slide: "Model warship YiPi 14-12-34 B61" Published: 14 September 1934 The Age p15 Published title: MECCANO CRUISER Published caption: Barry Sandford (17) of Richmond, recently completed this splendid Meccano model of a modern cruiser. It is fitted with four swivelling turret guns, six quick-firers, searchlight, movable anchor rudder and propeller. This model is on view in "The Age" office window, Collins-street. Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205072014 Description: Meccano model of cruiser. Wood panelled office walls and boxes of glass slides can be seen in the background. Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie: The second slide we scanned, this photo of Barry Sandford’s Meccano model of a cruiser was of particular interest because it appeared to have been taken in the photographer's studio/office. For the bulk of our project, the identity of the photographer was not known, and we delighted in imagining who they were, whether they were amateur or professional, and what else might be stored in those neatly labelled boxes in the background. But the photo had its own story regardless. A photo of Barry Sandford’s meccano model appeared in the Melbourne AGE on Friday 14 December 1934; it was probably the same photo as the one in our collection – now cropped to remove the background office environment. This background shows shelves of Kodak Panochromatic, and archived boxes labelled “DUKE” with various references: D1 – D23, and one labelled ‘DUKE Not Used’. On a shelf there is a stack of wooden glass plate holders. It wasn't until early 2023 that the photographer's identity was revealed with the help of archivist/librarian at The Age, Michelle Stillman. As for young Barry – what a talent! Meccano was hugely popular at this time. The Melbourne Meccano Club met on a Tuesday at the YMCA building. On 18 August 1933 The Age reported that at their upcoming meeting the model builders “will gain an insight into the oil industry from a lecturer and moving pictures supplied by the Vacuum Oil Co.” Models reflected an interest in rapid technological developments of the time, and also key activities. On 2 November 1934 The Age showed Barry with a model of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s Lockheed Altair, “Lady Southern Cross”, which Kingsford Smith purchased with the intent to compete in the MacRobertson Air Race as part of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations. He did not participate, but in late 1935 he and co-pilot John Thompson “Tommy” Pethybridge flew Lady Southern Cross from India to Singapore in an attempt to break the England-Australia speed record. Sadly, on the night of 8 November, they disappeared over the Andaman Sea and were never found. The Harmonica Riff Raff blog provides an amazing and comprehensive commentary on Barry Sandford's life. He is described as a Richmond boy of many talents – model making, archery, comedy, kite making, magic and juggling, as well as a harmonica virtuoso. He was particularly renowned for his harmonica playing and the creation of a two-foot long harmonica, and a tiny, hands-free organ which he played fully enclosed in his mouth. He promoted himself as Mr. Versatility and often featured in Melbourne news articles in the 1930s and 1940s. He remained very active in the entertainment business throughout his life, including as a member of the Four Octaves harmonica group, on the Tivoli circuit, and in vaudeville and stand up comedy. He successfully made the move from stage and radio into television. He died in 1992, still saluted by his peers as the gentleman, Mr Versatility. References: MECCANO CRUISER. (1934, December 14). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205072014 MIMIC MECCANO WARFARE. (1933, July 21). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 2 (This Supplement is Published Every Friday). Retrieved September 19, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204368610 MELBOURNE MECCANO CLUB. (1933, August 18). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 1 (This Supplement is Published Every Friday). Retrieved September 19, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204367564 MECCANO MODEL OF LADY SOUTHERN CROSS. (1934, November 2). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205083196 Charles Kingsford Smith, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kingsford_Smith 'Mr. Versatility', Harmonica Riff Raff, https://harmonicariffraff.blog/2022/09/05/mr-versatility/ Photographer notations on slide: "Model warship YiPi 14-12-34 B61".ships, models, the age, harmonicas, meccano

Colour photograph. Band members playing. Music sheets. Keyboard. Accordion. Violin. Harmonica.entertainment, music, musicians

Colour Photograph. Musical performers standing up. Wearing loud shirts. Harmonica. Accordion.entertainment, music, bush band

Chromed brass exterior, wood coreSide 1. The Super Chromonica M Hohner, Chromatic Harmonica Side 2. Made by M HOHNER Germany

Colour photograph. Band members sitting in hall violin. Accordion. Tin whistle. Harmonica. Brown brick wall.entertainment, music, musicians

Small colour photograph. Tartan waistcoat. Concertina. Man in check shirt playing harmonica. Woman playing violin. Back of photo reads:Emu Creek.entertainment, music, emu creek bush band

Colour photograph. Four men on stage. Harmonica. Mouth organ. Peter Ellis dark red waistcoat. Band behind them. Red curtain.entertainment, music, bush band

Colour photograph. Some damage evident on front of photo. 3 young men playing instruments. Harmonica. Banjo. Adhesive still evident on back of photo.entertainment, music, musicians

Black and white photo a an older man wearing a check shirt and bib and brace overalls playing a harmonica. Written on the back is: Dave Mathias, Forbes 1985.photo, individual, dave mathias, peter ellis collection, dave mathias

Colour photograph. Musicians on stage. Other people sitting on chairs in front of stage facing audience. Piano accordion. Lute. Violin. Harmonica. Mouth organ.entertainment, music, bush band

Colour photograph. Taken at night. Musicians with instruments. Harmonica. Accordia. Cabins. Date stamped '95 12 29. Back of photo reads: Session at Nariel f.f.entertainment, music, musicians

Colour photograph. Four men on stage. One man playing mouth organ, harmonica. 3 men singing. Back of photo reads: Bush Concert '96.entertainment, music, singers

Black and white photo of the Kurtz Family - Stringybark Band. Date on the back is Sep. 1981. The three men are playing accordion, violin and flute. The two women are playing the guitar and harmonica.photo, group, mixed group, peter ellis collection, kurtz family, stringybark band

Colour photograph. Man in corner playing harmonica, Woman playing recorder, Peter Ellis on accordion. Eucalyptus branch. All looking to right side of photograph Emu Creek Bush Bandentertainment, music, emu creek bush band

Colour photograph. Emu Creek Bush Band playing in hall. Blue carpet. Man playing harmonica. Back of photo reads: Bendigo Retirement Village 25.11.2007 Des Skinner - Mouth Organ.entertainment, music, emu creek bush band

Colour photograph. People gathered playing instruments, Man on guitar, man playing harmonica, man standing with banjo, man playing accordion, man with concertina, man playing another accordion. Night time. Date stamped '95 12 29 bottom right corner on front.photo, group, musicians

Colour photograph. 5 People with instruments. Boy playing guitar, Woman playing tin whistle, boy playing accordian, girl on tin whistle, man playing harmonica. Christmas carols music book on stand. Back of photo reads: Christmas Party Barker's 7-12-97.photo, group, musicians

Colour photograph. 4 People with instruments. Boy playing guitar, Woman playing tin whistle, girl on tin whistle, man playing harmonica. Christmas carols music book on stand. Man in chair watching and keyboard unattended. Unicycle in background near clothesline. Back of photo reads: 7-12-97.peter ellis, outdoor music

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries. This is the Mouth Organ Championsip of 1925. Some of the players shown are Percy Spouse, Stan Andrews, Harold Collier and Sydney Dickens. They are holding Boomerang Mouth Organs. Thanks to Phil from the harmonica riff raff blog for this information.ballarat, inside, coliseum, hall, south st, competition, crowd

Minutes of the quarterly meetings of the AAB Committee held at the Kooyong Club House. Minutes contain matters discussed from correspondence and via individual committee members. These include the unsuccessful application for a mouth organ band (p.14), rescinding of this motion (p.20) and formation of the Harmonica Band (p.33 & 35), as well as a leaflet for the Association's Summer Concert (p.146). 1 paper register of committee meeting minutesassociation for the advancement of the blind, corporation records

Sepia toned photo of Pall Mall, pictured within the image are a number of store fronts some of which are John Emery & Co, Melbourne Cash Store, C.C. Evans Pianoforte Harmonica & Music Warehouse, A.Carnduff Tobacconist, Callaway's Boots and Shoes, Beehive Building, Abbot New Times, Shamrock Hotel, markings on rear of image is a comic called 'The Bodgers By The Sea'photograph, landscape, pall mall, john emery & co, melbourne cash store, c.c. evans pianoforte harmonica & music warehouse, a.carnduff tobacconist, callaway's boots and shoes, beehive building, abbot new times, shamrock hotel, pall mall, comic, bodgers by the sea

Document. Page from a newspaper with a cartoon drawing (Full page). Cartoon shows a young lady in a long white dress. She is holding a music manuscript and appears to be singing. Behind her are three seated portly gentlemen wearing tuxedos. Two are playing harmonicas and the third is playing the violin. Written below the cartoon, PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE. (This week it is all Amy Castles: politics and wars are considered trifles).MISTER BARTON: ''To think that we three great men should have to sing small in the presence of a slip of a girl like this!''.performing arts, elocution, cartoon drawing

Has a strong association with the work of the Royal South Street Society, who published a handbook/guide or manual for their competitions. Used a photograph published at about the same time.Set of 15 photocopies of pages from the Royal South Street Society Guide showing trams in Sturt St Ballarat. .1 - Sturt St Looking East - with an ESCo tram outside the town hall and other horse drawn vehicles - 1907 .2 - Sturt St Looking West - same image as in Reg item 2688 - 1907 .3 - Sturt St Looking East - with many vehicles and people - 1910 and the "Chef" kitch range stove advertisement sold by Middleton and Morris of Sturt St. .4 - Sturt and Lydiard St, with a tram turning from Sturt into Lydiard St, 1910 with the post office in the background - 1910 and an advertisement for Woderine medicine sold by Jas. A. Gear, herbalist. .5 - Sturt St looking West - tram turning from Sturt into Lydiard St, taken from near post office corner - 1911 and a advertisement for Williams the Shoeman. .6 - Sturt St. West - with an ESC0o tram outbound - the only vehicle - 1913. .7 - same photo as .3, with a Monster Military Carnival Advertisement for Nov. 8th - 1913 .8 - Sturt and Lydiard St from next to post office, looking west with two trams, one horse trailer and many people - a busy scene - 1914 .9 - Sebastopol tram No. 21 at Grenville St - 1928 - with the Ballarat Gas Company Show rooms in the background, the Sturt St shelter. The tram has a Suttons Organs roof advertisement. .10 - View of Sturt Street, showing City Hall Buildings, with an ESCo Sebastopol type tramcar crossing the street, taken from the post office stops. - 1928 - Advertisements for G. Ludbrook Furnishing Undertaker (Motor Service and Horse drawn vehicles) and R. Young Grocer. .11 - Sturt St looking West, looking west, with a Sebastopol type tram at Grenville St and the big shelter removed. Has many buildings and many people in the background - 1928. .12 - same photo as for .10 and Clarendon Presbyterian Ladies Collection, Ballarat photograph - 1929. .13 - Advertisement for Ballarat Tramways - cars for Coliseum, fare box, route numbers and route colour scheme - 1929. .14 - as for above, no date, but opposite is the is an item for the Mouth Organ Band Contest, "A" Grade - c1933, notes the Coburg Tramway Athletic Club Harmonica Band and the Malvern Tramways Harmonica band amongst the contestants. .15 - same as .9, with a advertisement for the Melbourne Coffee Palace - Bourke St. Photocopies made by Neville Hasket for the BTM 10/2008. See also Reg item 675 for alternative source details.Handwritten note on photocopiestrams, tramways, ballarat, sturt st., royal south street society, lydiard st, town hall, post office, esco

This file contains six items pertaining to the Caulfield Central RSL: 1/A page to which is attached a black-and-white photograph (date, source and photographer unspecified) of the Caulfield Central RSL, outlying garden and Australian flag. Some writing on the rear identifies the subject. 2/A typewritten letter, (1 page) dated 1946 (no date more specific than that specified), from the Chairman & Honorary Treasurer of the Caulfield Central RSL Appeal Committee (name unspecified) to the Mayor of Caulfield (name also unspecified), imploring the latter for a donation of $20,000 dollars for purposes of constructing a Memorial Hall to eulogize servicemen killed during WWII. Some rough working notes on rear side. 3/A flyer, undated (although presumably published in 1950), printed by Peter Isaacson Pty. Ltd., advertising a concert presented by the Ugly Ugly Man (Frank M. Beard) and the Malvern Tramways’ Harmonica Band to be held at Caulfield Town Hall on 06/06/1950 to assist the Welfare Funds of the Caulfield Central RSL and the Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Mothers’ Association. Also contains an advertisement for a drapery business called Tallents. 4/The annual report of the Caulfield Central RSL, for the period 1952 – 1953. Contains announcements of the annual general meeting and annual elections, the President’s report (in which he principally discusses the club’s charity work and sporting activities), the subcommittee staff roster, the sportsmen’s honour roll, the annual accounts (e.g. balance sheet, income & expenditure statement) and the roster of nominees for office in the committee of management election. 5/A typewritten letter, (1 page) dated 26/11/1982, from Max Brian Blair, Treasurer of the Caulfield Central RSL, to Mr. R. Ballantyne, Secretary of the Caulfield Historical Society, thanking him for his donation to the RSL. 6/A photocopy of an article titled ‘RSL pays $30,000 to buy off objector’ (from the Sunday Herald, by Mary-Anne Toy, dated 16/09/1990), about the Caulfield Central RSL paying local resident Mr. Chris White to withdraw his objection to the RSL’s intention to re-allocate its clubrooms, and the consequent response of the relevant authorities.Black and white photographic print of Caulfield Central RSL buildingOn reverse, PIC B - 5 - CONTACT - RSL BUILDING - CONTACT 28/4/88 - 100% - HAWTHORN ROAD CAULFIELDcaulfield, caulfield central returned servicemen league (rsl), ex-service organisations, clubs and associations, returned servicepeople, armed forces, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, mayors, city of caulfield, war memorials, blamey thomas general sir, white t. w. group capt., gullett h. b. major, beaurepaire frank sir m.l.c., kennedy j. a. m.l.c., warner a. g. m.l.c., michaelis archie m.l.a., dennett a. h. lt.-col. m.l.a., don john capt. m.l.a., reid h. squire m.l.a., brooks w. r. cr., packer j. t. cr., parton e. m. cr., prior p. l. cr., morris t. w. cr., sinclair a. j. g. cr., sims h. e. cr., smith h. c. h. cr., smith james e. cr., tyers s. w. cr., webster harold cr., yorston j. s. cr., briggs r. jas., disney j. s., donath h., llewellyn evans, goddard s. a. padre, lynch p. j., nilsen oliver j. cr., pidd padre a. t., robinson norman, reece harold j., wootton harold s., wallace gordon w., nelson harold g., halls, concerts, musical events and activities, fundraising events, bands, musical ensembles, sailors soldiers and airmen’s mothers’ association, ‘the ugly ugly man’, beard frank m., malvern tramways harmonica band the, caulfield town hall, tallents, drapers, glenhuntly road, glen huntly road, elsternwick, peter isaacson pty. ltd melbourne, annual reports, financial documents, fisher s. w., finch f., williams f., salmon j. e., mallyon v. k., woods w., mayne t. v., lanyon r. j., rowney w. p., williams j. d., pepper e., bathurst t., patterson r., nuzum e. j., phillips e. v., turner g., hawthorn road, byrne l. j., eva a. r., bunny c. l., hoy c. a., orken a., hiam s. f., rawson n. l., coleman g. h., cohen a. s., mason j., goode l. p., nelson h. g., crosbie m. r., mcsweeney t., westley g. de v., greeves c. g., festivals and celebrations, community services, social services, service clubs, ladies auxiliary, returned servicewomen’s section, blamey house, social sub-committee, sport, sporting clubs, tennis, golf, billiards, table tennis, lawn bowls, thompson peter, cricket, children’s health bureau, family welfare bureau, buley doug mr., tomlins m. i., lang a. r., kendall h. i., ford c., munro w., gordon h., rowe s., green j. h., o’brien j., ring t., anderson g. j., croft r. m., jones p. j., la cerf g., roper i., lawrence f., eustace r. c., hanley a., moore a., strachan w. d., gilbert w. f., blair m. r., scriven e. g., miller j. l., hosking b. e., cheeseman r. n., summers s., croy l. w., mclatchie s., williams stan, hattersly cliff, day alf, rawson noel, johnson alby, banham bill, kersey b., williams s., jones a., witten f., waters r., dash r., meldrum i., grant j., haggar l., nightingale n., hallett r., somers r., young g., rawson n., croft r., barton m., o’grady w., cooper p., manton j., sutcliffe a., maver a., challender d., hunt a., parrott e., leicester j., westwood a., rae alex, smith harry, forbes jimmy, johnson jack, higgins w., fink s., hall s., ross m., anderson h., fleming j., bottoms a., peek e., stark j., mathews e., gursansky l., morres r., alenson j., holland i., wallace p., craig h., lucas j., smith h., bretel l., berryman p., reid a., swann j., tully f., henderson g., fields w., johnson j., gloster p., tennat j., boyd a., butterworth k., chapman k., curran j., elkington a. b., evans w., mckenzie d. a., nicol a. b., thompson w., wanliss t. w., watson g. j., williams g., yeomans p., mcgowan h., o’connor k., atherton r., batson s. s., bull e., fletcher a., gorman s. c., hall w., jellett l., lesar h., mather r., nelson n., ratford d., rowe p., turner w. j., wehsack f., williams s. c., wilson a., carter w., forbes i., purvis l., datson r., jackson e., wolstencroft w., smith c., mitchell r., harward j., gillespie ray, hill wally, parkinson w. g., greeves colin mr., water stan mr., selleck f. p., luckins l., andrews f., young v. l., king e. j., mccutcheon j. o., grenfell d. j., hurley c., shand a. r., yeates l., hogue h., mather j., wardrop j., lyons a. m., ross a. r., bradley t., walker r. n., cox f. c., mornane j. s., fletcher a. e., mcneil j. g., rose n., lyons l. j., trevorrow g., wright d. e., walker r., maxwell j., hutchinson j. c., mclean r., caulfield historical society, ballantyne r. mr., blair max brian, toy mary-anne, ruxton bruce mr., administrative appeals tribunal, caulfield city council, white chris mr., northcote avenue, independent church of australia, marsden ian mr., mccutcheon mr

Colour photocopy of article from Bendigo Advertiser. Dated Saturday, May 23, 2015. FAREWELL, MA.. When Peter received his Order of Australia Medal it was one of his proudest moments. He couldn’t resist wearing it on every occasion. FROM - PREVIOUS PAGE The Emu Creek Bush Band has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and numerous times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for most of its history as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter wrote and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include: Three volumes of 'Collector's Choice' which is musical notations for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts, are 'Two Hundred Dancing Years- How to run a Colonial Ball' (Co-authored with Shirley Andrews (AM), 'Music Makes Me Smile- The Music of the Nariel Valley' (Co-authored with Harry Gardner), and his last completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' with over 300 pages.. .. .. Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter taught old time musicianship, accomplished as he was on the concertina and button accordion, tin whistle, and harmonica, as well as the Swanee whistle, piano and ukulele. In demand for workshops in music and dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National Folk Festivals, he was a hit at festivals across the country. As a trained ballroom dancer, with many gold medals to his name, Peter passed on his knowledge every time he trained debutante sets in the Bendigo region. As an early environmentalist, he was a life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, secretary in the 1970's and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagated many Australian plants. Peter took regular guided tours through the Whipstick each spring, on wildflower educational tours. He was a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. When Peter received his Order of Australia Medal it was one of his proudest moments. He couldn’t resist wearing it on every occasion. Funeral details. Family, friends and his supporters will farewell Peter.. .. .. ..person, individual, peter ellis oam