A rare 'Climax Interchangeable Sublime-Harmonie' musical box,
Size No. 2, circa 1880,
Ser. No. 605,
Gam. Nos. 528, 548, 649, 845, 846 & 847,
the eight cylinders playing four airs each and the snail steps in 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 sequence, with double-spring motor, the comb with 7/8-length zither attachment, patent endless-screw barrel gear start/stop control and sweep-lever change/repeat, on cast gilt bedplate, in ebonised interior with single cylinder rack beneath the large colour tunesheet made out for six of the eight cylinders, glass dustlid, in bird's eye maple veneered case with slight domed lid, crossbanded in rosewood with double fruitwood stringing, slight canted corners, the base of the front with fall opening to reveal double sliding carriages for the six cylinders - 23.3/4in. (60.5cm) wide, the cylinders 9in. (23cm)
Ser. No. 605,
Gam. Nos. 528, 548, 649, 845, 846 & 847,
the eight cylinders playing four airs each and the snail steps in 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 sequence, with double-spring motor, the comb with 7/8-length zither attachment, patent endless-screw barrel gear start/stop control and sweep-lever change/repeat, on cast gilt bedplate, in ebonised interior with single cylinder rack beneath the large colour tunesheet made out for six of the eight cylinders, glass dustlid, in bird's eye maple veneered case with slight domed lid, crossbanded in rosewood with double fruitwood stringing, slight canted corners, the base of the front with fall opening to reveal double sliding carriages for the six cylinders - 23.3/4in. (60.5cm) wide, the cylinders 9in. (23cm)
Sold for
£2,640
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Condition: G II 2
The start/stop mechanism is an interesting feature. When running, the large endless screw rotates loosely within the gaps of the main barrel gears and the top knurled crown is in the up position. When turned anti-clockwise, the endless connects with the base of the bedplate bracket and the friction here is all that holds the main-spring back for either cylinder stop or change. The bar which slides across the bottom flange of the knurled crown, is set for end of tune stop and the paddle under the cylinder bay locks into the large notch on the cylinder cap and lowers the crown via the slide for the stop.
Over the years, the paddle has worn to the point of the endless no longer having the meat on the thread to stop at the end of an air, so during the view, one may have to manually select the stop.
Category: Collectibles / Mechanical Music
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