What's this Autoharp Worth?

Subject: What's this Autoharp Worth?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 03:46 AM

Here's an email from somebody named Joseph:

Hi I would like to post a question on finding out whether this autoharp by have is worth anything good condition 36 stream have a picture I want to get onto the forum and ask questions

Subject: RE: What's this Autoharp Worth?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 01:57 PM

Hard to tell country and quality of manufacture from the photo..

Is there a Brand name / Date / Made in.. ???

Subject: RE: What's this Autoharp Worth?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 Aug 18 - 02:06 PM

I'm waking up a bit more from my afternnon nap...

The logo definitely looks very much like an Oscar Schmidt
and the book published about 1970, but still possibly on sale...

My Oscar Schmidt electric Autoharp purchased about a decade ago was made in China..
Old ones should be USA..

It should, if in reasonable condition, be a good instrument - but value $$$?????...

Subject: RE: What's this Autoharp Worth?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 18 - 12:18 AM

I looked at the original photo, which is a bit higher resolution. It's definitely an Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, but I can't see any markings that show when or where it was made.

Subject: RE: What's this Autoharp Worth?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Aug 18 - 01:28 AM

A current brand new oscar schmidt 15 chord autoharp and case is approx $300 on Amazon USA...

Older equivalent 15 chords on ebay seem to have asking prices from anything up to that...
I saw that book priced about $40 when I looked earlier.
but I don't know if that is a realistic average price.

I wouldn't know about rarities and collector's prices...???

Subject: RE: What's this Autoharp Worth?
From: Pamela R
Date: 09 Aug 18 - 09:40 PM

Here in Southern CA I have bought several OS Autoharps from garage sales junk shops etc. in the past few years. I found two exactly like that one for $25 and $50; my possession of those led the owner of a third one to give it to me for free. I am told they were required in every classroom in California at one time, so there are a lot of them floating around here. On the other hand I've certainly seen them listed for much more, I just hunt for bargains (otherwise my collection of instruments would pile to the ceiling).

One of my kids recently reported to me that the coolest kid in their high school now plays the Autoharp. (They had NO idea I was so cool!) Anyway if they are coming into fashion, it may be worth more.