Harmonica owned by Big Mama Thornton

A brass Hohner Old Standby harmonica owned and played by Big Mama Thornton.

This bright brass harmonica in the key of ‘E’ with several engravings on front and back and a brown wooden comb with ten chamber holes. On one side of the well-worn instrument, from left to right, is the Hohner company six-point star. Engraved across the top is [M. HOHNER’S OLD STANDBY] with a (raised engraving of) “Founder of the Factory” icon. On the bottom is [REGISTERED / MADE IN GERMANY] and [M.HOHNER]. The numbers one through ten are engraved below.

On the reverse side of the harmonica are several circular embossing’s and engravings representing the history of the manufacturer. From left to right is “D.VERDEIENSTE” (engraved vertically); two circular engraved embossing’s depicting family and a figurehead under “WIEN” (Vienna) with “1873” below them and “ULM / 1871” to their right. To the left of the middle raised engraving of “TRADE MARK” and a two handed “GESETZL./GESCH” logo, are circular engraved embossing’s which read “STUTT/GART / 1881” and “PHILAD / 1876” and “G.R.BRONCE”.