G'day Bill D,

That photograph was probably in John Meredith and Hugh Anderson's book 'Folk Songs of Australia and the Men and Women who sang them' (if you're interested in Australian books, including this one, I recently [yesterday?] listed some available from the Bush Music Club, Sydney, in another thread asking about "lyrics to an Australian song").

I cover the "Kerosene Tin Dulcimer" briefly in a booklet (not in the preliminary booklist mentioned above) on "Traditional Bush Instruments" along with many other improvised instruments ... the product of living on the other side of the world from musical instrument manufacturers - and, often, a few hundred miles from the nearest town. I have been meaning to make a replica, but we no longer get kerosene in square tins ... a round 18 litre (~ 5 gallon) drum doesn't sit so neatly on the lap.

I guess my best substitute (living, as I do, in Leichhardt or Sydney's 'Little Italy') will be one of the very large square tins in which imported olive oil is packed ... an interestingly 'multi-cultural' turn to a traditional Australian makeshift!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Regards,

Bob Bolton