Hohner 1896 Marine Band B-Major Harmonica Autographed and Formerly Owned by Bob Dylan

This Hohner 1896 Marine Band harmonica was played by singer/songwriter Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman, b. 1941) circa the 1990s and includes his autograph.  

In 1961 Dylan made his professional recording debut playing harmonica on the title track of Harry Belafonte’s album, The Midnight Special. That same year he signed a contract with Columbia Records followed by an eponymous album release in 1962. At the time, Dylan was known for performing Woody Guthrie’s work, traditional folk music, and a handful of his own songs. It wasn’t until 1963 that the folk-singer and musician gained nationwide popularity with his album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, which included one of his most famous songs, “Blowin in the Wind.” The harmonica has become widely associated with Dylan and his work. A celebrated artist, Dylan has received 10 Grammy awards, a Golden Globe award, an Academy Award, and a Noble Prize in literature “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” 

Hohner is a German manufacturer of musical instruments including accordions, harmonicas and their related accessories. Hohner’s Marine Band series are smaller sized harmonicas and are considered the base model. They are known for providing the player with a rich and expressive sound. Hohner has created different lines or collections of harmonicas in collaboration with notable artists such as Toots Thielemans, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan.