Magnus Harmonica Corporation

Updated on Dec 17, 2023

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The Magnus Harmonica Corporation (originally the International Plastic Harmonica Corporation) was founded in 1944 in New Jersey by Danish immigrant Finn Magnus (1905–1976). First supplying American troops in World War II, and later marketed to children and other beginners, the company's harmonicas (as well as its accordions, bagpipes, and mechanical reed organs) used a then-unique molded-plastic reed comb. The styrene-based plastic construction resulted in lower cost, greater durability, and a distinct sound compared to other free reed aerophones with metal reeds.

In 1958, Magnus joined with television salesman Eugene Tracey, and their company went on to sell millions of inexpensive electric chord organs and song books until the late 1970s under the name Magnus Organ Corporation. Early Magnus Chord Organs were either laptop or tabletop models, with some of the later models having integrated legs and a lighted music stand. At its peak, Magnus employed over 1,800 workers in Linden, New Jersey, including a "mother's shift" during school hours and a "work release" program for non-violent inmates of the nearby Rahway State Prison.

After Magnus and Tracey retired, the publishers of World Book Encyclopedia ultimately acquired the Magnus sheet music catalog and ceased production of Magnus instruments.

Magnus organ models

300: Tabletop Model, Two Octave, Six Major chord, Brown or Cream Plastic Case - c. 1960s

302: Tabletop Model, Two Octave, Six Major chord, Brown Plastic Case with faux wood

303: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case - c. 1970s

306: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case

350: Tabletop Model, Two Octave, Six Major chord, Brown Plastic Case

360: Tabletop Model, Two Octave, Six Major chord, Cream Plastic Case - c. 1970s

380: Tabletop Model, Two Octave, Six Major chord, Cream Plastic Case with faux wood - c. 1960s

391: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case - c. 1970s

400: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case - c. 1970s

468: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Cream Plastic Case - c. 1970s

481: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case - c. 1970s

500: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Real Wood Case

535: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Real Wood Case - c. 1968/69

545: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Real Wood Case

549: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Six Bass Notes - c. 1960s

655: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Faux Wood Case

657: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case with faux wood - c. 1970s

660: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Six Seventh chord, Brown Plastic Case

665: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case with faux wood - c. 1970s

668: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case

670: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case - c. 1970s

700: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Eight Major chord, Eight Minor chord, Faux Wood Case

890: Free-Standing Model, Three Octave, Eight Major chord, Eight Minor chord, Eight Bass Notes, Wood Case - c. 1960s

1510: Laptop Model, Two Octave, No Chord buttons, Brown Bakelite Case - c. 1950s

8100: Tabletop Model, Three Octave, Six Major chord, Six Minor chord, Brown Plastic Case - c. 1960s

Disney Edition: Same as Model 360 but has Orange Plastic Case - c. late 1970s

References

Magnus Harmonica Corporation Wikipedia

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