Somebody--not a hard-core harp collector, but somebody outside our ingrown little tribe--has just contacted me to ask if I'd be interested in purchasing a brand-new, untouched, mint condition, in-the-box Herb Shriner Hoosier Boy harmonica.
I am indeed interested. I haven't the faintest idea what a fair price would be. Can somebody who traffics in such things tell me? A general price range.
Actually, somebody is selling a pair of them, in "good condition," for $100 on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321513986284?lpid=82&chn=ps
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Feb 09, 2015 10:41 AM
I have bought good ones on ebay for 25 bucks. I wouldnt spend more than 40 for a mint one.They dont seem super hard to come by but they do play real nice.
These are 1950's Marine bands with different covers. Soft brass, 7LimitJI tuning, key of C only. Sold for $2.49 at the time. They offered another model for $1.99 but that one doesn't have colored covers and was not made in Germany. It has cheaply made and I would advise anyone to stay away from it.
But the ones as seen in that ebay auction are the good ones. There was a news story a few years ago about one of Herb Shiners kids found a box of about a hundred of these harps brand-new. He decided to send them to the military troops overseas.
They restore well. That being said, they probably aren't worth that much. Even Vintage 1920s-1930s "mouse ear" Marine Bands are not uncommon. I wouldn't pay more than $40 for one in mint condition. I doubt the resale value would increase, though.
Adam: Herb Shriner harps are good harps. The reason being that under the hood it is a Marine Band. Hohner repackaged the Marine Band in a million ways just by making a different cover and a pretty box. I agree with Sonny about the value/price. I have one that I would be happy to send to at no charge if you want. It isn't new - mint - untouced. But it is in very fine condition. ---------- Tom Halchak www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com
Last Edited by florida-trader on Feb 09, 2015 10:58 AM
I got one of those brand new in the 90's from the now long defunct harp site Kevin's Harps and they're essentially the original wood combed version of the Old Standby model that I got for about roughly $10.00. At the time he had come across a huge supply of them totally untouched. They don't play as well as a pre-WWII Old Standby or Marine Band. As arzajax says they're definitely tuned OOTB to 7LJI and were only available in the key of C. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
