Magnus Harmonica Corporation

The Magnus Harmonica Corporation (originally the International Plastic Harmonica Corporation) was founded in 1944 in New Jersey by Danish immigrant Finn Magnus (1905–1976).^[1] 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.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

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^[7][8] 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.^[9] 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.^{[citation needed]}

After Magnus and Tracey retired, the publishers of World Book Encyclopedia ultimately acquired the Magnus sheet music catalog and ceased production of Magnus instruments.^{[citation needed]}

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• 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

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