Albert’s System Chromorgan

The Chromorgan is a very interesting harmonica not in terms of any new slider invention but rather for its unique boomerang shape.

Boomerang harmonicas were exclusively sold to the Australian market. Frank Albert, the owner of the largest music store in Sydney, commissioned those harmonicas from Seydel in Germany and sold them under the synonym “Albert’s System”. If you ever have a chance to buy the book “Boomerangs and Crackajacks” by Ray Grieve, you will get a great overview of the Australian harmonica history. There is also a blog by Harmonicariffraff showing a list of all harmonicas ever available in Australia.

Chromorgan, dating back to 1936, from my collection
Boomerang Chromatic harmonicas, from my collection

Update: just recently I got contacted by Phil Sheppard (Shep), author of the wonderful blog “Harmonica Riff Raff“ in regards to a Boomerang harmonica advertisement he found in a Boomerang Songster book.
The complete article was posted here. In that advertisement the slider button of the instrument looked completely different to the standard buttons.

Chromorgan advertisement from Boomerang Songster book, courtesy Phil Sheppard (Shep)

When I visited the Museum of music and winter sports in Klingenthal this year I noticed a Booomerang chromatic with exactly that “odd” looking button.

Chromorgan with different slide button, courtesy Museum of music and winter sports in Klingenthal

This reminded me in some ways of the button used for the Böhm Chromatic with movable reedplate.

Slide button used for Böhm Chromatic with movable reedplate

One thought on “Albert’s System Chromorgan

  1. Excellent Information here, I am a Boomerang Harmonica collector myself, ironically, the Chromatic was the downfall of the Boomerangs, their slider wasn’t as good as the Hohner, and they became the market leader….

    Liked by 1 person

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