Hugh Tracey Kalimba Treble 17-Note — Kiaat, Original Box & Docs View Watchlist >
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Lot # C922
System ID # 27384417
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Hugh Tracey Kalimba Treble 17-Note — Kiaat, Original Box & Docs
The Hugh Tracey Treble Kalimba is the instrument that introduced the thumb piano to the Western world. Designed by British ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey and produced by his African Musical Instruments (AMI) company in South Africa, this 17-note treble model is built on a solid kiaat hardwood hollow-box resonator — a Wild-Teak native to Southern and Eastern Africa chosen by Tracey for its tonal properties and beauty after testing over 100 prototype instruments. Seventeen steel tines are mounted in a diatonic, alternating layout of Tracey's own design, with orange-painted accent tines for note identification. The maker's label on the reverse reads "African Musical Instruments PTY Instruments LTD / Patents 22565: 60/3777 / Made in South Africa." Tested and fully functional.
This lot is offered with its complete original documentation package: the stamped AMI cardboard box, the Hugh Tracey instruction manual ("a new Musical Instrument from Africa"), the official Treble Kalimba tuning reference card keyed to G, and a Paul Tracey cassette course order card. Complete sets — instrument, box, manual, and tuning card together — are seldom found intact on the secondary market and represent the primary draw for serious collectors.
CONDITION
Good. Instrument has been tested and plays fully. The kiaat body shows honest signs of use and age — scuffs and light surface marks on the face and sides — with no structural damage or cracks. Steel tines display moderate oxidation throughout; orange accent paint is worn but identifiable. Original box is intact with light soiling and edge wear.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall: 7¼" × 5¼" × 2¼"
- Configuration: Treble, 17-Note
- Body: Kiaat (Wild-Teak) hardwood, hollow-box resonator, circular sound port
- Tines: Steel; alternating plain and orange-painted for note identification
- Tuning: Key of G (per original reference card)
- Maker: African Musical Instruments (PTY) Ltd., South Africa
- Patents: 22565 / 60-3777 / 900796
- Includes: Original cardboard box, instruction manual, tuning reference card, cassette course order card
