Did everyone play a harmonica in the 1800s ?

[Oldrvrrat57]

I'm almost certain that almost every homesteader in Illinois played or at least attempted to play the harmonica! Went for a short 2 hour hunt just up the road on a site I hit every other year and I did find another crusty large cent, but at least I can make out a date on it 1848 . Moved a few foundation stones out of the field for the farmer also!

 

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[Gene Mean]

I played a harmonica in the 1970"s when I was a kid and all of my friends did too! So it was still going strong then but I haven't heard the sound of one since then, sadly. I have found a lot of reeds and pieces too, must have been a way to pass the time and keep the kids/family entertained all over the country.

 

[pepperj]

I'm almost certain that almost every homesteader in Illinois played or at least attempted to play the harmonica! Went for a short 2 hour hunt just up the road on a site I hit every other year and I did find another crusty large cent, but at least I can make out a date on it 1848 . Moved a few foundation stones out of the field for the farmer also!
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Still a good showing for the day.
The reeds sure sound good.
Getting one of the oler none brass ones is hard, they're usually just pieces.

 

[Chilli]

I'm almost certain that almost every homesteader in Illinois played or at least attempted to play the harmonica! Went for a short 2 hour hunt just up the road on a site I hit every other year and I did find another crusty large cent, but at least I can make out a date on it 1848 . Moved a few foundation stones out of the field for the farmer also!
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I think every gold prospector here did in the 1800s. Apart from buttons harmonica bits n pieces are the next most common find.
I have three theories why so many bits and pieces found.
1 they must have been poorly made and fell to bits.
2 Were easy to carry so people got them for their travels but couldn't play them like they expected too so threw them away.
3 Their digger mates got sick n tired of hearing them play the same tune each night they took them off them and threw them into the bush.
Either way, I think on the goldfields a travelling harmonica salesman would have made a fortune. 😂

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Congrats on the Large Cent and other finds !

And yes, I couldn't count how many Harmonica Reeds I've found around old home sites !

 

[The Rebel]

I've found a few pcs as well as concertina reeds. They both ring up sooo nice.

 

[cudamark]

I think every gold prospector here did in the 1800s. Apart from buttons harmonica bits n pieces are the next most common find.
I have three theories why so many bits and pieces found.
1 they must have been poorly made and fell to bits.
2 Were easy to carry so people got them for their travels but couldn't play them like they expected too so threw them away.
3 Their digger mates got sick n tired of hearing them play the same tune each night they took them off them and threw them into the bush.
Either way, I think on the goldfields a travelling harmonica salesman would have made a fortune. 😂

The reason we find so many is #3!

 

[Marino13]

Think of it as the cell phone or game boy of the day.

 

[Oldrvrrat57]

The reason we find so many is #3!

I agree with #3

 

[ArfieBoy]

Yes, I have found many, many harmonic reeds over the years. I don't know if they played them or just bought them to throw away!

 

[tamrock]

I had couple of harmonics that recall when I was maybe 7 years old around 1963 and they were still displayed on the counter for sale in the Five & Dimes stores back then. Marbles were also still popular and still in demand back then also. From the time of the Civil War it seems harmonics and marbles went hand in hand for the next 100 years. Now days it's the latest IPhones and ear-buds.

 

[Blackfoot58]

I’ve been playing harmonicas since about 1967. I still play today. I see what also looks like a “Jew’s harp” frame in your photo.
That is a musical instrument that confuses me as to its popularity. One note, mainly to keep the rhythm.

 

[oldmxrat]

Good bunch of finds, congrats!

 

[Digger RJ]

I'm almost certain that almost every homesteader in Illinois played or at least attempted to play the harmonica! Went for a short 2 hour hunt just up the road on a site I hit every other year and I did find another crusty large cent, but at least I can make out a date on it 1848 . Moved a few foundation stones out of the field for the farmer also!
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Very Cool!!! Congrats!!!