A fine part hooked-tooth key-wind musical box playing three overtures,
circa 1830,
Ser. No. 5449,
Gam. No. unknown,
with unstamped single-section comb of approximately 163 teeth, the snail in 1-2-3-1-2-3 sequence, slender comb washers on plain brass bedplate, period tunesheet lacking, now with temporary re-print, in good light-toned plain polished mahogany case with end-flap, small brass bedplate screw washers and inset diamond shaped mother-of-pearl escutcheon, with a period key - 15.1/2in. (39.5cm) wide, the cylinder 8.1/8in. (20.5cm), the diameter 2.3/4in. (7cm)
Ser. No. 5449,
Gam. No. unknown,
with unstamped single-section comb of approximately 163 teeth, the snail in 1-2-3-1-2-3 sequence, slender comb washers on plain brass bedplate, period tunesheet lacking, now with temporary re-print, in good light-toned plain polished mahogany case with end-flap, small brass bedplate screw washers and inset diamond shaped mother-of-pearl escutcheon, with a period key - 15.1/2in. (39.5cm) wide, the cylinder 8.1/8in. (20.5cm), the diameter 2.3/4in. (7cm)
Estimate:
£4,000 - 6,000
€4,700 - 7,100
US$ 6,100 - 9,100
€4,700 - 7,100
US$ 6,100 - 9,100
Footnotes
- Condition: E II 3(tt)
This is a good example of an early triple overture cylinder musical box. Just a pity the period tunesheet is missing. The lock hook in the lid has been replaced, but done well and with the use of period material.
The extreme three teeth on the comb are a slightly shorter length and at first glance, they are seen as not pluckable by any pins. However, a look on the cylinder end reveals and a distinctive outline and two holes where brackets were attached for pin extensions, so that these current redundant tuned teeth would have been used.
Notation is heard as clear and bright overall with some minor damper problems, but the first air on both first-stage snail steps is heard slightly out of register.
Category: Collectibles / Mechanical Music
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