Hello, Johnathan. Welcome to SlideMeister.
You have many new friends here.
Here's a short history of the Wilhelm Kratt
companies. Wilhelm, (1892-1983) was born in
Trossingen, Germany, the home of the Hohner,
Weiss and Koch harmonica companies.
He worked for Hohner from age 12-18, then visited
the USA. He worked as a machinist-foreman for
inventor Thomas Edison, staying at his Aunt
Christine's home in Orange, New Jersey, and
served customers at his aunt's restaurant, The
Old Homestead.
Wilhelm returned to Trossingen in 1920, & founded
the National Harmonica Company in Trossingen.
Hohner bought his company in 1924.
Wilhelm returned to the USA, and in 1940, he founded
the Wm. Kratt Company in Union, New Jersey. The Kratt
Co. made at least 4 different slide chromatic models, and
diatonic harmonicas, such as the "Arist-o-Kratt" diatonics.
The slide harps included: "Mello-Chromatic" (10 mouthpiece
holes); "Ultra-Monica" (12 holes); "Super 40" (10 holes);
and "Wm. Kratt Co." (10 holes).
Wilhelm retired from the company circa 1975, and his son,
Wilhelm, Jr., ran the company to 2001, when it was sold to the
McNamara family of Kenilworth, New Jersey. The McNamaras
made Kratt "Master Tone" pitch pipes up to at least 2008. The
McNamaras are still in business today.
Wilhelm, Sr.'s brother, Christian (1899-?) also had a harmonica
company in the USA: Chris Kratt.
Best Regards, Stay Healthy.
John Broecker, Sussex, Wisconsin, USA