How Did the End Come for the Cylinder Disc Driven Music Box
Posted on December 15, 2008 - Filed Under jewelry | Leave a Comment
David Le Coultre first created the cylinder music box in Switzerland. around 1870, while Mermod Fre’res was the largest manufacturer of the cylinder musical instruments in St Crox. Years later the highly collectible disc driven music boxes were also made in France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and other countries.
While there were numerous companies making music boxes, Mermod Fre’res, active during the 1800’s was one of the few who manufactured both a cylinder music box and a disc driven automatic musical instrument. Two of the most popular ones by the company were the “Stella” and “Mira”, made during the late 1890’s, were made of oak in furniture styles popular in the states during that time.
What makes the cylinder music box, inlaid music boxes , and musical snuffboxes, and other types unique is that music results when the teeth of a tuned, steel comb vibrate when plucked by tiny pins protruding from the cylinder. Many collectors today highly value these music boxes and love to add then to their collections. Favorites include those manufactured during the 18th century by Lecoultre, Nicole Fre’res, and Ducommon- Girod.
Making cylinder music boxes was quite the art until 1875. Many craftsmen worked in their homes assembling various parts and then took them to factories to complete.
Up until the Civil War, cylinder music boxes were rather plain. Then, manufacturers began making more elaborate cases with brass, wood inlays, tortoise shell, and mother of pearl.
The years 1890-1914 marked the end of time for large cylinder automatic musical instruments. In his “Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments”, Q. David Bowers states, “The disc-type box, as made by Polyphon, Symphonion, Regina, and others, drove cylinder instruments from the marketplace. Mermod Freres made fine, large cylinder instruments in the 1890’s, but by 1900, World War I ended what was left of the cylinder music box industry.
So ended the age of the cylinder, disc driven music box. However, with careful research and searches, collectors of cylinder music boxes can still possibly find these beautiful music boxes through organizations such MBSI at http://www.mbsi.org and AMICA at http://www.amica.org.
Copyright 2005 Monique Hawkins
Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d
Tags: ballerina music box, inlaid music box, music box, music jewelry boxesThe Top Three Must Have Disc Music Boxes for Music Box and Antique Collectors
Posted on December 7, 2008 - Filed Under jewelry | Leave a Comment
Symphonion
Symphonion music boxes were made in Germany beginning in 1886. Paul Lochmann, founder of Kuhro-Lochmann was the first manufacturer of disc music boxes. They symphonion was produced in many sizes, types, and styles. Some of the more popular items in the 1890’s were disc-playing clocks, the three-disc Erocia the “Rocco” which was contained in an attractive wooden case, and the “Gambrinus” which was a coin-operated machine made in the shape of a barrel.
Since many collectors consider the tone of symphonion music boxes superior to the polyphon music boxes, finding a music box such as this would be a real treat for the music box and antique collector.
Polyphon
Established by Gustave Brachhausen in 1897, the Polyphon Company created a line of strong interchangeable music boxes and musical objects such as coin operated clocks fitted with disc movements and the polyphon-concerto. The polyphon-concerto was as a disc orchestra, which played a piano, bass drum, snare drum, and glockenspiel. In later years, the company also made a very rare “folding-top” table box as well as the casket model, which included paper rolls. Discovering the rare “folding-top” table box would be a tremendous find for the music box and antique collector as well as a great asset for any collection.
Regina
Many music box and antique collectors view the Regina disc music box as having the best sound.
The company was established in 1892 when Polyphon founder Gustave Brachhausen, went to the U.S. to found the Regina Music Box Company in New Jersey. Some interesting music boxes and musical items made by Regina before its demise in 1922 included a hand-operated vacuum cleaner, and the disc orchestrions that played piano, tublar bells, drums, and triangle. In addition, the company came out with the Reginaphone, which had a turntable, and horn that could be removed as well as a phonograph arm that could be turned to one it. This enabled it to be used as a normal music box.
For the music box and antique collector interested in collecting antique and vintage music boxes, the symphonion, polyphon, and Regina music boxes would make great additions to any collection. Why not add them to your current collection of inlaid music boxes, musical jewelry boxes, wooden jewelry boxes, and wooden keepsake boxes today?
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d
Tags: antiques, Collectibles, collector, inlaid music box, music box, music boxes, woo, wooden jewelry boxHow to Create A Music Box, Part I
Posted on November 14, 2008 - Filed Under jewelry | Leave a Comment
Everyday we are bombarded with noise. From the roar of a jet overhead to car horns honking while we sit in a traffic jam, we live in a world of noise and stress. How crucial it is, then, to find an outlet to relax our bodies and minds. For some, this might mean listening to the delicate and dreamy sounds of an inlaid music box, enjoying the notes from a gorgeous musical jewelry box, or relaxing while a small twirling ballerina spins in a ballerina music box. For others, it might mean creating their own special music box. When it comes to making a music box, there are certain considerations that need to be thought through. These are choosing a title for the music box, assessing one’s creative ability, and choosing a musical movement.
Music Box Title
Choosing a title for a music box is simple. One can use the songs that were used for the musical movement or just choose a favorite song that will go along with the music box’s theme. There is no right or wrong way for this; just choose a title that you love.
Levels of Ability
Anyone can make a music box. There are music boxes that are very simple to make, some are more challenging, and others can be quite difficult. Just choose to make one whose instructions you can easily follow based on your ability.
Decorative Accessories
This is the fun part of music box making. Many accessories can be found at craft stores such as Michael’s, Ben Franklin’s, Joann Fabrics, or your local Wal-Mart or craft store. It really doesn’t matter where the accessories come from. Just have fun with it!
Musical Movements
Musical movements can be found at craft stores as well. At times, since musical movement accessories can be difficult to find, some ceramic shops can order the accessories for you. Another important thing to consider is that different manufacturers of musical movements and accessories make their own models for producing parts. So, make sure that all parts are in good working order before putting a music box together.
Musical boxes have a way of relaxing us and causing us to dream of days long past. Whether it’s an inlaid music box, musical jewelry box, or ballerina music box, they are the perfect escape. Creating one of your own is very special as well. Why not take take some time out and begin right now?
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Established in May of 2005, http://www.My-Music-Box.com is a music box gift store specializing in products such as inlaid ballerina music boxes for ballerina rooms d
Tags: ballerina music box, inlaid music box, music box, musical jewelry box keep looking »