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| Title | Toy Harmonica ; Magnus Harmonica |
| Object Name | Toy Harmonica |
| Manufactured By | International Plastic Harmonica Corporation (Magnus)
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| Description | Red, white and blue toy harmonica. The International Plastic Harmonica Corporation was founded in 1944 in Linden, New Jersey by Norwegian immigrant and entrepreneur Finn Haakon Magnus with investment by partner Peter Christensen. The company name was changed to the Magnus Harmonica Corporation in June 1947, which helps date this object. In the 1940s Magnus invented the first completely plastic harmonica. With brass in short supply, he received a contract from the U.S. military to make plastic harmonicas for troops, and he established his new company. Magnus went on to hold many patents for plastic free reed instruments, including harmonicas, small reed organs, accordions, and other instruments. This harmonica was probably made for the expanding toy market soon after the end of the war but the red, white and blue colors link it to its patriotic wartime origins. |
| Date Manufactured | 1944-1947 |
| Material | Polystyrene |
| Manufacturing Process | Injection Molded in multiple parts |
| Number of Objects | 1 |
| Accession Number | 2003.1064 |
| Donor | Gift of National Plastics Center. |
| Broad Subject | Music (including instruments)
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| Subjects | Toys
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| Date Digital | 2009 |
| For More Information | Please address inquires to the Public Services Librarian, Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Library (e-mail: scrc@syr.edu, tel. 315-443-2697). |
| Rights | Publication of images from the Special Collections Research Center is subject to approval and fees may be charged for such use. Publication includes the following media: print, electronic/digital, videotape, film, or microfilm. Permission to use images must be obtained in advance and in writing from the Special Collections Research Center by writing to plastics@syr.edu or going to http://scrc.syr.edu . These fees are separate from any which might be assigned/assessed by the copyright holder. |
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