> Having spotted a rare Dimier Freres box in Ian McDonald's list of
> treasures, I thought it would be interesting to ask if anyone else in MMD
> is aware of other boxes made by this manufacturer.  It would be
> interesting to compare notes.  Just wondering...
>
> Jim Heyworth,
> Temporarily in Vancouver, B.C., Canada
> james_heyworth@sunshine.net

Details of the above pianoforte box by Dimier.

The following is stamped on top of the governor:-

    DIMIER & Ce.
    GENEVE
    2990

The original tune sheet is missing, but over the years I have been able to
identify all but one of the tunes they are.

    Coronation March 'Le Prophete'            Meyerbeer
    Serenade                                  Donizetti
    L'elisir D'amour                          Donizetti
    Rule Britannia                            Arne
    (a Polka)
    Canon                                     Thomas Tallis

Pin positions for the original tune sheet 124mm by 70mm.

Cylinder 331mm (13ins). Left comb 217mm 85 teeth. Right comb 113mm 44 teeth.
The box is 520mm long, painted wood grain sides, lid 4 stringing from edge
8mm apart with center inlay of scrolls and shapes.
A rare survivor is the original box key attached by ring to the winding key
and an ivory tab with 'music box' written on it attached by another ring.
Missing is the end flap and the glass lid.

CHECK YOUR 'NO MAKER' MUSIC BOXES
for the following possible exclusive features of Dimier boxes,

    1. Governor fan blades, square top and inner side - half round from
       outer top to inner bottom.

    2. Control levers, only the top surface of the ends of the control
       levers is brass the rest of the levers being steel.
My key winder has a iron bedplate.

DOES ANY ONE OUT THERE HAVE A DIMIER BOX?

Jim an I only know of three in total!!!
We know that Dimier marketed mostly in China, so possibly that is where
they all are.

Happy searching,
Ian McDonald