2025.11

Purchase

"Olympia" (brand)

Maker: "Olympia" (brand). GDR (East German) manufacture; the specific factory is not named on the instrument. GDR harmonica production was centered in Klingenthal, but no plant is identified here. Date: GDR era. The "MADE IN GDR" mark establishes manufacture no later than 1990 (reunification); within the 1959–1990 range. A precise year isn't determinable — these were produced across multiple decades — and the plastic case is consistent with roughly the 1960s–1980s.

"OLYMPIA" in an ornamental cartouche (both sides). "REG. TRADE MARK" (upper band, one side). "MADE IN GDR" (lower band). A small framed inscription in the upper band of the reverse plate, not legible in these images (possibly a model/tuning designation). Engraved/embossed foliate scrollwork across both plates.

Metal

Plastic

Materials: Chrome-plated metal cover plates; metal reed plates and reeds (brass reeds typical); comb material not determinable from these views (wood or plastic). Case: clear molded plastic lid and cream/ivory plastic tray with foam lining. Technique: Stamped and embossed metal cover plates; assembled reed-organ construction (riveted reed plates over a slotted comb); injection-molded two-part plastic case.

Fair

Type: A double-sided harmonica — two reed combs back-to-back, commonly tuned to two keys (e.g., C and G) — an inexpensive, popular instrument widely exported from the GDR.

Export marking: The English "MADE IN GDR" and "REG. TRADE MARK" indicate production for export