Mechanical Music

The Mechanical Music auctions are extremely diverse with sections including early key-wind cylinder musical boxes and the later disk versions; fine singing birds, phonographs and gramophones; iconic jukeboxes, barrel organs and pianos; important encoding machines, mechanical and electrical calculation devices; vintage amusement machines and pre-1940 wireless and television. This department aims to please those who seek either the perfect historical gift or to bring a collection into line with an appropriate addition.

The department holds four auctions annually for an international range of clients. We very much look forward to hearing from you, should you be new to this field or an established collector.

Highlights from past auctions

An important singing bird et carde-de-visite necessaire compendium, French movement circa 1870, gilt fittings and inlaid ebonised case for the English market,
Sold for £16,800 inc. premium
An important singing bird et carde-de-visite necessaire compendium, French movement circa 1870, gilt fittings and inlaid ebonised case for the ...
A rare 26-inch Fortuna orchestral coin-operated upright disc musical box, circa 1900,
Sold for £11,400 inc. premium
A rare 26-inch Fortuna orchestral coin-operated upright disc musical box, circa 1900,
A fine silver-gilt and enamel oiseau chantant with timepiece, by Charles Bruguier, circa 1848,
Sold for £15,600 inc. premium
A fine silver-gilt and enamel singing bird box with timepiece, by Charles Bruguier, circa 1848,
An exceptionally rare Baird type T5 mirror-lid television receiver, dated 29th September 1936,
Sold for £27,500 inc. premium
An exceptionally rare Baird type T5 mirror-lid television receiver, dated 29th September 1936,

Contacts

Mechanical Music (UK) Bonhams
Work
General Enquiries
Jonathan Snellenburg Bonhams
Work
580 Madison Avenue
New York, 10022
United States
Work +1 212 461 6530
FaxFax: +1 212 644 9007
Specialist
Laurence Fisher Bonhams
Work
Montpelier Street
London, SW7 1HH
United Kingdom
Work +44 20 8963 2837
FaxFax: +44 20 7393 3873
Specialist