{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1781922"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1781922/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PJ2209/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PJ2209/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2025PJ2209","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ2208","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ2207","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ2206","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ2205","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1781922","accessionNumber":"LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1200-2024","objectType":"Harmonica Microphone","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"A harmonica microphone, encased in hard, clear plastic case which has been taped shut. \r\nThe microphone is small and cylindrical in shape, and is made of metal and black plastic. It is only partially visable, as it is held within a clear plastic cuboid shaped case. The case has a lid but this has been sealed shut with a piece of canvas tape, which has been handwritten on in black pen. The case is lined around the sides with a bright pink printed and folded label. This label is printed with various black text, describing the microphone within. Same of this text is obscured by the tape.\r\n","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Shaker","id":"AUTH410343"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"electronic components","id":"THES274431"},{"text":"paper","id":"x30308"},{"text":"printing ink","id":"AAT187371"},{"text":"tape","id":"AAT14685"},{"text":"pen","id":"x47746"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"},{"text":"moulding","id":"x46876"},{"text":"taping","id":"x39893"},{"text":"printing","id":"AAT53319"},{"text":"handwriting","id":"AAT252927"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Microphone is cast metal, moulded plastic and electronic components.\r\nThe label inside is printing ink on paper.\r\nThe case is moulded plastic, with tape and pen. ","categories":[{"text":"David Bowie Archive","id":"THES394093"},{"text":"Entertainment and leisure","id":"THES48959"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2025PJ2209","2025PJ2208","2025PJ2207","2025PJ2206","2025PJ2205"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"J","id":"THES296992"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"microphone","id":"x38434"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"USA","id":"x29333"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1992-2004","earliest":"1992-01-01","latest":"2004-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Shaker harmonica microphones entered production in 1992. David Bowie's last full performance was in 2004. "}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Lent by the V&A Americas Foundation through the generosity of Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"10.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"5.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"5.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"LAST ONE USED ON STAGE TC","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Handwritten on the piece of tape sealing the plastic case around the microphone."},{"content":"SHAKER\r\nHARMONICA\r\nMICROPHONES\r\n\r\nBUILT BY HARP PLAYERS FOR HARP PLAYERS\r\nMADE IN USA\r\nLOW FEEDBACK\r\n14\" GUITAR OUTPUT\r\nXLR\r\n\r\nPLAYERS USING THE SHAKER\r\nCAREY BELL, NORTON BUFFALO, CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE, SNOOKY PRYOR, JAMES HARMAN, FINGERS TAYLOR, LAZY LESTER, STEVEN TYLER, CHRIS HAMMER SMITH, RICK ESTRIN, IVORY JOE TURLEY, LARRY GRISHAM, JELLY ROLL JOHNSON, T.J. KLAY, JOHN SEBASTIAN, PIERRE LACOCQUE, ROB PAPAROZZI, ROBERT SUSZ, MARK WENNER, JULIAN DAWSON, MOJO BUFORD, TOTTO NILSEN, RYUICHIRO SENOU, GARY ALLEGRETTO\n\n1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY\nSHAKER MICROPHONE GUARANTEES TO REPLACE OF REPAIR (AT OUR OPTION) THE SHAKER MICROPHONE FOR A PERIOD OF 1 YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL\n[TEXT OBSCURED BY TAPE]\nMICROPHONE. INCLUDE $5.00 FOR RETURN POSTAGE AND HANDLING. \nSHAKER MICROPHONE CO. P.O. BOX 613 PAYSON, AZ 85547 (928) 474-2448\n\n","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Printed on the label inside the clear plastic case. "}],"objectHistory":"The label on the case of this harmonica microphone describes it as the 'last one used on stage' by David Bowie. This note appears to have been written by Bowie's original archival team.\n\nDavid Bowie's final tour, <i>A Reality Tour, </i>saw him performing harmonica live on stage for the first time in many years, principally for the songs 'The Jean Genie' and 'A New Career in a New Town'. Bowie's last full concert was on June 25, 2004, at the Hurricane Festival in Scheeßel, Germany. \r\n\r\nShaker harmonica microphones were first designed and manufactured by blues musician “Shakey Joe\" Harless in the 1990s. They are known for creating a gritty, old-school blues sound. In an interview with the Arkansas Times in 2019, it is stated that 'While rehearsing for what would be his final tour, Bowie had a nightmare about someone stealing all of his Shaker microphones. When he woke up, he ordered more Shakers just to be safe. “We had to ship him three mics overnight,” Harless said, “and it was so cool, the guy takes the phone, he’s in the recording studio, and I got to listen to the [dress rehearsal for] the tour before anybody else did.”'\r\n","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Shaker harmonica microphone owned and used by David Bowie, ca. 2000s","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1200-2024"],"accessionNumberNum":"1200","accessionNumberPrefix":"LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION","accessionYear":2024,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"David Bowie Archive Number","id":"THES394108"},"number":"dbg0537"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-06","recordCreationDate":"2024-06-11","availableToBook":false}}