Musical Boxes
A rare tri-revolver interchangeable 'Sublime Harmony' cylinder musical box by George Baker,
Geneva, circa 1893,
No. 16005, with right-hand double-spring crank-wind motor, silver painted cast reeded bedplate, tune indicator (pointer missing), tune selector, typical speed regulator control to top of governor and zither attachment across full length of single-section comb under glass dustlid, interior boards stained in an aubergine tone, the revolver frame with blued locking straps, the six cylinders playing eight airs each and fully listed on large Geo. Baker & Co. tunesheet, in burr-walnut veneered case, the slight domed top with tri-boxwood stringing, the sides and front with similar stringing and the plinth base incorporating cylinder storage drawer with ebonised finish to top and plinth edges, zither on/off pull to front, start/stop now positioned to right-hand side (original provision retained) with numbered handle crank, (the extreme treble tooth tip worn down) - 36in. (91.5cm) wide, the cylinders 13in. (33cm)
No. 16005, with right-hand double-spring crank-wind motor, silver painted cast reeded bedplate, tune indicator (pointer missing), tune selector, typical speed regulator control to top of governor and zither attachment across full length of single-section comb under glass dustlid, interior boards stained in an aubergine tone, the revolver frame with blued locking straps, the six cylinders playing eight airs each and fully listed on large Geo. Baker & Co. tunesheet, in burr-walnut veneered case, the slight domed top with tri-boxwood stringing, the sides and front with similar stringing and the plinth base incorporating cylinder storage drawer with ebonised finish to top and plinth edges, zither on/off pull to front, start/stop now positioned to right-hand side (original provision retained) with numbered handle crank, (the extreme treble tooth tip worn down) - 36in. (91.5cm) wide, the cylinders 13in. (33cm)
Sold for
£9,000
inc. premium
Footnotes
- This musical box may have been altered slightly for the American market, with both zither and start/stop controls issuing from the front and side. The right-hand crank-wind feature may also be classed as being an American-market feature.
Although a late example of a revolver box, the maker's trademark building methods and use of material and finishes, gives those lucky enough to own one made by Nicole Freres a chance to make specific comparisons. The very good condition of not just the teeth, but also the dampers and leads on this piece, may perhaps make up the fact that it plays eight airs per cylinder.
The many single parts which make up the cylinder 'fingers' and the ingenious self-locking cylinders for cylinder change, are complete and undamaged.
Category: Collectibles / Mechanical Music
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