Description: A “bells-in-view” cylinder box by an unknown maker (serial number 22187) with an inner glass lid, measuring 16.5" wide x 9.75" deep x 8.375" high. The mechanism plays a comb with forty-three teeth (the bottom three control the bells). The bells are fully integrated into the musical arrangements and do not simply reinforce notes produced by the comb. In view of the use of English on the plates for the stop/start and change/repeat levers, the three identified English tunes (there is no tune sheet), and the musical characteristics of all the tunes, it is reasonable to suppose that the box was manufactured for the English market, probably in the 1890s. The three identified tunes are no. 2, A. Gwyllym Crowe, See-Saw Waltz (1884); no. 7, Sir Arthur Sullivan, “The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring” no. 20 from Act II of The Mikado (1885); and no. 8, Men of Harlech (traditional tune published in several 19th-century editions). When I acquired it around eight years ago, the top was severely warped, and the locking pin and plate were gone. There was no way to reverse such a severe warp, so I took a very thin slice out of the middle, flattened the top, and repaired the inlay prior to refinishing the entire box. I also made a new locking pin and plate in the course of repairing the lock. There is a slight line visible along the top, especially on the right edge, where I sliced the lid. I was not able to fully obscure this while still preserving the beautiful graining, but I think it looks fairly good—certainly much better than it did when severely warped. Of course I also fully disassembled and cleaned the mechanism, replaced all missing dampers, and adjusted all the pins for each tune. I have attempted to make each piece sound as good as possible. Please listen to the recording and judge for yourself. Bells Box Video will open in a new window Using the eBay App? Paste link into a browser window:[isdntekvideo] Please examine each of the pictures and watch the video, all of which are considered part of the description. The box will be carefully packed and promptly shipped with insurance (the relatively high shipping cost is due to the weight of the box). It is offered as is on a non-returnable basis, but I will be glad to answer any questions in advance of bidding.
Price: 900 USD
Location: Ellettsville, Indiana
End Time: 2025-01-08T23:55:22.000Z
Shipping Cost: 50 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Unbranded
Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
Time Period Manufactured: Pre-1900
