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MMD > Archives > April 1997 > 1997.04.25 > 02Prev  Next


Regina Music Box
By Larry Lobel

Today I saw a vertical standing music box in the home of a woman who says
it was bought new by her husband's grandfather.  It stands about 6 1/2
feet high, 2 1/2 feet wide, and about 1 foot deep.  There are about a
dozen 24" perforated metal disks stored in a tilt-out compartment in the
lower portion of the ornate Victorian-style cabinet.  The playing disk is
seen behind a large glass window in the upper part of the cabinet, and
the crank handle is on the right side at about shoulder height.

The disks say "Regina," so I assume that is the brand name of the
instrument.  They have copyright dates on them from the late 1880s and
early 1890s.  There are several tunes on each disk.   There is a brass
plaque on the case of Sherman Clay, San Francisco, which is a still-
existing firm dealing in musical instruments (Steinway dealers), but no
other identification on the cabinet.  The wood might be cherry.  It is
beautifully carved and nicely finished.  It plays with a loud but mellow
and gorgeous tone.

She doesn't want to sell it, but is curious about how rare or unusual
these are, and would like to know an approximate value so she can get
adequate insurance for it.  I appreciate any comments on this from
knowledgeable people.

Larry Lobel


(Message sent Fri 25 Apr 1997, 04:51:48 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Box, Music, Regina

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