Popular Entertainment

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a box for an Echo Elite Double model. The Echo Elite harmonica was designed by American industrial designer and artist John Vassos (1898–1985).Currently not on view
Description
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a box for an Echo Elite Double model. The Echo Elite harmonica was designed by American industrial designer and artist John Vassos (1898–1985).
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.596
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.596
This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, in 1982. It is a box for a 125 Years Harmonica model. It is made of plastic. The box is stamped:125YEARSHOHNERCurrently not on view
Description

This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, in 1982. It is a box for a 125 Years Harmonica model. It is made of plastic. The box is stamped:

125
YEARS
HOHNER

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1982
maker
Hohner
ID Number
1988.0783.644
catalog number
1988.0783.644
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by an unknown maker in China, undetermined date. It is a box for a Hero Chromatic model harmonica. It is made of white paper with a red, gold, and black label. The box is marked:M1015HERO CHROMATIC HARMONICAMADE IN CHINACurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by an unknown maker in China, undetermined date. It is a box for a Hero Chromatic model harmonica. It is made of white paper with a red, gold, and black label. The box is marked:

M1015
HERO CHROMATIC HARMONICA
MADE IN CHINA

Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0783.631
catalog number
1988.0783.631
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of blue lacquered paper. This box is for an U. S. Navy Band model. This box is marked:U.S. NAVYBANDM.HOHNER MADE IN GERMANYJOIN THE NAVY – SEE THE WORLDCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of blue lacquered paper. This box is for an U. S. Navy Band model. This box is marked:

U.S. NAVY
BAND
M.HOHNER MADE IN GERMANY
JOIN THE NAVY – SEE THE WORLD

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.608
catalog number
1988.0783.608
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by Wm. Kratt Co. in the United States, undetermined date. It is a box for a Big Brass Band model harmonica. It is made of yellow and white paper with red and black ink. The box is marked:Wm.
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by Wm. Kratt Co. in the United States, undetermined date. It is a box for a Big Brass Band model harmonica. It is made of yellow and white paper with red and black ink. The box is marked:

Wm. Kratt
BIG BRASS BAND HARMONICA
A PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENT, PRECISION TUNED SOLID BRASS PLATES, BRONZE REEDS

(and on the bottom):

LONNIE
GOLOSSON
AND
WAYNE
RANEY
PROFESSIONAL
TALKING HARMONICA

Wayne Raney (1921-1993) was an American country singer, harmonica player, and radio personality. Raney was a well-known harmonica player who was able to make his harmonica "talk."

Lonnie Elonzo Glosson (born Lonnie Marvin Glosson) (1908-2001) was an American country musician, songwriter, and radio personality.

Raney and Glosson began their partnership 1936, performing on radio and making recordings. By 1960, their partnership ended when Raney decided to establish a recording studio. Glosson went on to a solo career. In 1980, the duo reunited to make recordings.

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Wm. Kratt Co.
ID Number
1988.0783.630
catalog number
1988.0783.630
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box has a white background with red and light blue ink. There are images of the members of the band The Beatles on the top. The box is marked:THE BEATLESHARMONICAM. HOHNERCurrently not on view
Description

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box has a white background with red and light blue ink. There are images of the members of the band The Beatles on the top. The box is marked:

THE BEATLES
HARMONICA
M. HOHNER

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.645
catalog number
1988.0783.645
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of teal paper with orange accents. It is a box for an Echo-Luxe model. The box is marked:ECHO-LUXEMADE BYM.HOHNERGERMANYFABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNECurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of teal paper with orange accents. It is a box for an Echo-Luxe model. The box is marked:

ECHO-
LUXE
MADE BY
M.HOHNER
GERMANY
FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNE

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.597
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.597
This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is made of painted wood with plush lining. The box is marked on the inside:HOHNER(and on the top):GERMANYNr. 280FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNECurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is made of painted wood with plush lining. The box is marked on the inside:

HOHNER

(and on the top):

GERMANY
Nr. 280
FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNE

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner
ID Number
1988.0783.632
catalog number
1988.0783.632
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of blue paper with red accents. It is a box for an Echo-Luxe model. The box is marked:ECHO-LUXEMADE BYM.HOHNERGERMANYFABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNECurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of blue paper with red accents. It is a box for an Echo-Luxe model. The box is marked:

ECHO-
LUXE
MADE BY
M.HOHNER
GERMANY
FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNE

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.598
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.598
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of brown paper with green accents. It is a box for an Echo-Luxe model. The box is marked:ECHO-LUXEMADE BYM. HOHNERGERMANYFABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNECurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of brown paper with green accents. It is a box for an Echo-Luxe model. The box is marked:

ECHO-
LUXE
MADE BY
M. HOHNER
GERMANY
FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNE

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.599
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.599
This clam shell food container held 6 Chicken McNuggets®. In the early 1980s, McDonald’s® Corporation tasked a small group of people to solve the technical problem of machine producing a chicken nugget that appeared to be cut by hand.
Description
This clam shell food container held 6 Chicken McNuggets®. In the early 1980s, McDonald’s® Corporation tasked a small group of people to solve the technical problem of machine producing a chicken nugget that appeared to be cut by hand. In 1983, the Chicken McNugget® was introduced to the national market and was a huge success.
When Fred Turner became President of McDonald’s in 1968, he ushered in a new era of expansion, which required comprehensive national marketing campaigns. This box is decorated with the McDonald’s® Golden Arches logo and Disney’s Toy Story 2 advertising. It was used to promote the upcoming Toy Story 2 happy meal toys available from McDonald’s® beginning in November 1999. Mr. Potato Head and Rex the Green Dinosaur, both characters from Toy Story 2, appear on the lid of the container. In 1996, McDonald’s® and Disney signed a 10 year, exclusive partnership agreement where McDonald’s® was able to use Disney characters for Happy Meal® premiums and Disney would receive free promotion of upcoming movies through McDonald’s®. This partnership appeared like a natural fit for the two companies since they had an overlapping market base. From November 26, 1999 through December 23, 1999, McDonald’s® marketed the Toy Story 2 Happy Meal® premiums.
The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
date made
ca 1999
ID Number
2012.3045.01
catalog number
2012.3045.01
nonaccession number
2012.3045
This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a case for a Chromonica II harmonica. It is made of lacquered red and gold paper. The box is marked:M.HOHNERChromonica IIMADE IN GERMANY DELUXECurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a case for a Chromonica II harmonica. It is made of lacquered red and gold paper. The box is marked:

M.HOHNER
Chromonica II
MADE IN GERMANY DELUXE

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.626
catalog number
1988.0783.626
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of red paper with black ink It is a box for a Super Chromonica model in the Key of C. The box is marked:TheSUPERCHROMONICAM.
Description

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of red paper with black ink It is a box for a Super Chromonica model in the Key of C. The box is marked:

The
SUPER
CHROMONICA
M. HOHNER
MADE IN GERMANY FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNE
CHROMATIC HARMONICA

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.646
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.646
This harmonica box was made by Hering in Brazil, undetermined date. The box is made of brown paper with gold-tone text. It is a box for a Sonhadora model.
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by Hering in Brazil, undetermined date. The box is made of brown paper with gold-tone text. It is a box for a Sonhadora model. This box is marked:

SONHADORA
INDUSTRIA
[Hering logo] BRASILEIRA
MARCA REGISTRADA

There are printed labels on the front, bottom, and inside lid of the box.

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hering
ID Number
1988.0783.607
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.607
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of blue paper with gold accents. It is a box for an Ironclad model. The box is marked:The IroncladM. HOHNERGERMANYCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of blue paper with gold accents. It is a box for an Ironclad model. The box is marked:

The Ironclad
M. HOHNER
GERMANY

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.601
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.601
This harmonica box was made by an unknown maker in Germany, about 1934. It is for a Borrah Minevitch Baguette model. This box is made of brown and green paper with black ink. It is marked:TheBorrahMinevitchBaguetteCopyright U.S.A. 1934Currently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by an unknown maker in Germany, about 1934. It is for a Borrah Minevitch Baguette model. This box is made of brown and green paper with black ink. It is marked:

The
Borrah
Minevitch
Baguette
Copyright U.S.A. 1934

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1934
ID Number
1988.0783.620
catalog number
1988.0783.620
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. This box is made of yellow and white paper with multi-color ink. There is an image of mountains on the top. This box is marked:THE WORLD RENOWN!(FULL CONCERT HARPNo.
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. This box is made of yellow and white paper with multi-color ink. There is an image of mountains on the top. This box is marked:

THE WORLD RENOWN!
(FULL CONCERT HARP
No. 3 CND
REG.U.S.PAT>OFFICE
MADE BY
M.HOHNER
(GERMANY)

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.609
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.609
This box is for a Violin King model harmonica made by F. A. Böhm in Germany, undetermined date. It is printed:TheViolin KingARTIST’SBAND[image of violin player]MADE IN GERMANYF.A. BÖHM
Description

This box is for a Violin King model harmonica made by F. A. Böhm in Germany, undetermined date. It is printed:

The
Violin King
ARTIST’S
BAND
[image of violin player]
MADE IN GERMANY
F.A. BÖHM

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Bohm, F. A.
ID Number
1988.0783.616
catalog number
1988.0783.616
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of red paper with black ink It is a box for a Super Chromonica model in the Key of G. The box is marked:TheSUPERCHROMONICAM.
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box is made of red paper with black ink It is a box for a Super Chromonica model in the Key of G. The box is marked:

The
SUPER
CHROMONICA
M. HOHNER
MADE IN GERMANY FABRIQUÉ EN ALLEMAGNE
CHROMATIC HARMONICA

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.604
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.604
This box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a box for a Hohner Up To Date No. 1896½ model harmonica. The box is made of paper with red, green, and brown ink and has a metal closure. The box is stamped:20 REEDSNo. 1896½UP TO DATEHARMONICAMade by M.
Description

This box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. It is a box for a Hohner Up To Date No. 1896½ model harmonica. The box is made of paper with red, green, and brown ink and has a metal closure. The box is stamped:

20 REEDS
No. 1896½
UP TO DATE
HARMONICA
Made by M. HOHNER, GERMANY

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.643
catalog number
1988.0783.643
accession number
1988.0783
This mixing box was made by Raytheon Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois, 1950s. It is a portable mixing box, model RR-30, serial #201, made of metal, with plastic components.
Description (Brief)

This mixing box was made by Raytheon Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois, 1950s. It is a portable mixing box, model RR-30, serial #201, made of metal, with plastic components. This mixing box was used with other equipment in the remote ready box (2002.0319.20) by the Annapolis, Maryland radio station, WANN (1190 AM), for remote broadcasts. The mixer was accessioned with a custom carrying box, made of wood, covered with beige and brown fabric, with a clear plastic handle, two metal latches, and metal covered corners. The front of the box is stenciled “WANN.”

WANN (1190 AM) was a radio station based out of Annapolis, Maryland that primarily served the area's growing African American community. Morris Blum founded it in 1946, and it broadcast to the entire mid-Atlantic region. The station was home to disc jockey Charles "Hoppy" Adams starting in the early 1950s. Adams hosted weekly events at a local African American only beach, Carr's Beach, which were popular with the area's youth population.

WANN continued to program gospel, rhythm and blues, and public affairs features until 1992 when the station changed to a mainstream country format with the catchphrase “Bay Country 1190.” Around 1998, the station changed ownership and became WBIS, broadcasting a News Talk Information format.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950s
manufacturer
Raytheon Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
2002.0319.21
accession number
2002.0319
catalog number
2002.0319.21
This large clam shell food container was used for distribution of the 20 Chicken McNuggets® meal. In the early 1980s, McDonald’s® Corporation tasked a small group of people to solve the technical problem of machine producing a chicken nugget that appeared to be cut by hand.
Description
This large clam shell food container was used for distribution of the 20 Chicken McNuggets® meal. In the early 1980s, McDonald’s® Corporation tasked a small group of people to solve the technical problem of machine producing a chicken nugget that appeared to be cut by hand. In 1983, the Chicken McNugget® was introduced to the national market and was a huge success.
It is decorated with Toy Story 2 advertising and McDonald’s® golden arches logo. Woody, Slinky Dog and The Prospector, characters from Toy Story 2, appear on the box as a way to promote Disney’s Toy Story 2 and the new Toy Story 2 premiums available with McDonald’s® Happy Meals®. A cut-out Toys-R-Us coupon has been printed on the lid. In 1996, McDonald’s® and Disney signed a 10 year, exclusive partnership agreement where McDonald’s® was able to use Disney characters for Happy Meal® premiums and Disney would receive free promotion of upcoming movies through McDonald’s. This partnership appeared like a natural fit for the two companies since they had an overlapping market base. From November 26, 1999 through December 23, 1999, McDonald’s® marketed the Toy Story 2 Happy Meal® premiums.
The McDonald’s Corporation is one of the most recognizable hamburger restaurants in the United States. As of 2011, the McDonald’s Corporation and franchisees were operating in 119 countries with 1.9 million employees, making it the 4th largest employer in the world.
In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2012.3045.03
catalog number
2012.3045.03
nonaccession number
2012.3045
This harmonica box was made by an unknown maker in Czechoslovakia, undetermined date. It is a box for a College Band model harmonica. It is made of blue, brown, and silver paper.
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by an unknown maker in Czechoslovakia, undetermined date. It is a box for a College Band model harmonica. It is made of blue, brown, and silver paper. The box is marked:

COLLEGE BAND
HARMONICA
20 REEDS GENUINE BRASS PLATE
MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1988.0783.627
catalog number
1988.0783.627
accession number
1988.0783
This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box has a white background with red and light blue ink. There are images of the members of the band The Beatles on the top. The box is marked:THE BEATLESHARMONICAM. HOHNERCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This harmonica box was made by M. Hohner in Germany, undetermined date. The box has a white background with red and light blue ink. There are images of the members of the band The Beatles on the top. The box is marked:

THE BEATLES
HARMONICA
M. HOHNER

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Hohner, M.
ID Number
1988.0783.600
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.600

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