Hi all
My first post is a question looking for help please,what a surprise eh?


This was found in my attic here in Ireland.Its in C,
Any idea of what its worth?or any info on it.

Thanks in advance

Hello, Changnoi1977.

Welcome to the Harmonica Club.

Your Hohner Educator I harmonica is a 10-hole Richter system diatonic harmonica, possibly made in the late 1940s-late 1950s. That is only a guess.

The Educator series of harmonicas were made from the 1930s, but the early models had wood combs. Yours has a red plastic comb (body), and nails ("drift pins") hold the reed plates to the comb.

The Richter system is a reed placement system devised by Joseph Richter, possibly in the late 1850s. There are different dates and different Richters credited with the creation of the Richter system, including Emmet Richter (1850s Bavaria); Joseph Richter (late 1850s Novy Bohr in today's Czech Republic); or Anton Richter (late 1850s Novy Bohr in today's Czech Republic).

The 10-hole description is a sum of the holes in the mouthpiece, which determines the amount of reeds on your harmonica. Your Educator I harp has 10 holes, 20 reeds (2 reeds per hole).

The word, "diatonic" refers to the scale formula used on your harmonica. A diatonic music scale is one that has 7 consecutive note letters, from "do" to "ti".

Your Educator I harp is the predecessor of the Hohner "U.S. Navy" harmonica, which preceded today's Hohner "Golden Melody" harmonica. All 3 harps are identical, except for the covers and the color of the plastic comb.

Best regards

John Broecker

Hi John

Thanks a lot for the very detailed reply,
As I am thinking of selling it, any idea of a price on it?

thanks

CN1977

Hello, Changnoi1977.

It's an opinion that your harmonica is worth more as a collectible than as a working harmonica.

If you wish to sell it, the $ value will be whatever you and the buyer agree is fair.

A reasonable price would be estimated at $10 - $20 USA dollars.

The physical condition of the harmonica, it's playability (for players, not collectors), and it's relative scarcity (for collectors, not players)
will determine it's value to a seller and a buyer.

The physical condition of your Educator I would be estimated at fair (salvageable with repair & maintenance), despite it's very used condition.

It may not be playable in it's present condition.

It is relatively scarce (not rare), but many are in circulation with collectors.

For more precise information, contact Harley Crain, president of Harmonica Collectors International:

hcrain@harleysharps.com

Best Regards

John Broecker