Vintage harmonica instruction booklet with Dean Ross chord selector; a useful and displayable mid-century music ephemera set with visible wear as shown.
Details
• Item: Vintage music ephemera set with booklet and chord selector
• Title: The Story of Hohner Harmonicas and How to Play Them
• Author: Not confirmed from the photos
• Illustrator: Not confirmed from the photos
• Publisher: M. Hohner, Inc.
• Year: 1950 confirmed on interior copyright page of booklet
• Format: Softcover booklet with separate cardboard Dean Ross Automatic Chord Selector
• Size / Measurements: Booklet about 9 x 6 inches; chord selector about 8 x 5.5 inches
• Page Count: 48 pages
• Cover / Jacket Colors: Booklet has black-and-cream illustrated cover; chord selector is blue, cream, and multicolor with color-coded chords
• Genre / Subject: Harmonica instruction, music reference, musical instrument ephemera, piano aid
Notable Features:
Illustrated Hohner booklet cover; interior history and instruction pages; harmonica diagrams and musical notation shown; copyright 1950 M. Hohner, Inc.; separate Dean Ross Automatic Chord Selector with printed instructions on reverse; Patent No. 2,473,222 shown on selector.
Condition Grade: Good
Positives
• This is a strong mid-century music paper lot with both collector appeal and practical visual interest
• Booklet cover graphics remain bold and eye-catching for display
• Interior pages shown are readable, with harmonica illustrations, notation, and instructional content still clear
• Dean Ross Automatic Chord Selector retains its colorful printed front and instruction text on reverse
• A nice two-piece set for buyers who want more than a single booklet — you get both harmonica and keyboard-related music ephemera in one purchase
Issues / Wear
• Booklet shows noticeable edge wear, corner wear, creasing, and age toning
• Front cover has corner bends and visible wear at the edges
• Interior pages show tanning / darkening consistent with age
• Chord selector shows age toning, fold wear, and handling wear
• Tabs on the chord selector show bends and wear from use
• Functionality of the chord selector is not tested or guaranteed from the photos alone
Collector’s Notes
This set offers a good mix of use, display, and collector value. The Hohner booklet gives you a 1950 harmonica instruction piece with strong cover art and readable interior diagrams, while the Dean Ross selector adds a colorful, unusual keyboard accessory that broadens the appeal beyond harmonica collectors alone.
It is an appealing choice for music room decor, instrument ephemera collections, or buyers who enjoy old printed music aids with real mid-century character.
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Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
