Muchas Gracias, Agustin (Llumasagra).
The book, though small in size, is 96 pages of historical
harmonica information. It's a rare treasure, a book with
information on the era of the World Champion Spanish
harmonica players, listed in the book.
The small, 7" X 4.75" harmonica handbook, 10th edition (1959),
of the above title, was written by Francisco Lattore Quilez, of
Riera San Miguel, 64, Bajos-Barcelona (G), (Spain).
It was published by Imprenta Salvado, of Vallirana, 60- Barcelona,
and described as "El primer metodo de armonica que se public en Espana"
(a first method for harmonica, published in Spanish). It's price in 1959
was 15 pesetas. I happily paid about $20, including postage, for this great book.
It is sold as a used book by
www.uniliber.com, a Spanish library. I found a copy
of the book, thanks to Agustin, at
www.AbeBooks.com, an English language
book distributor.
I don't speak or write in Spanish, but the harmonica charts, descriptions and photos
are clear and understandable to English language harmonica players.
The book discusses general harmonica techniques, maintenance, with details of
several types and models of Hohner and Koch harmonicas available in Spain,
in the late 1950s. It's a fascinating book, especially for a harmonica collector
and historian.
The book includes information on slide chromatics (Chromonika I, II and III),
with note charts; chord harps diatonic and chromatic, (Vinetas in 4 major and
4 minor keys, some are hinged duos and trios); Polyphonias #4-8, and
Chromaticas #261, 262, and 263; and several Hohner bass harp models,
#265, 268, 264, and even a #264-1/2 one-octave range bass harp starting on C.
Tremolo harps are also explained, and the Harmonetta, and Koch #972 alto and
soprano no-slide chromatics. It also lists 9 pages of Hohner products by model name,
with comparisons.
I ordered a used copy of the book from Abe Books, with delivery scheduled for
February 3rd of 2016. It arrived on 12-10-15. The book is intact, but the cover
is almost detached from the book.
That's a superficial exploration of the book. Further study is anticipated.
Happy Holidays
JB
