BERNARD NOVELL MUSIC BOXES
  • Welcome
    • About
    • History >
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Styles and Types
  • The Collection
    • Cartels >
      • 12/195 Lecoultre Freres Cartel
      • 12/129 NF Fat Cylinder
      • 8/131 Nicole Freres
      • 8/130 Cuendet
      • 8/122 Ducommun-Girod
      • 8/97 Nicole Freres
      • 8/78 Langdorff & Fils
      • 8/77 Bremond Drum & Bells
      • 8/77 Paillard Vaucher HE
      • 6/107 Nicole Freres
      • 6/104 Nicol Freres
      • 6/103 Unknown
      • 4/78 Nicole Freres??
      • 4/57 Unknown
      • 4/50 George Baker
      • 3/99 Cartel
      • 2/82 Rzebitschek
    • Petite Musique's >
      • 6/51 Petites Musique
      • 6/50 Petites Musique
      • 6/50 Paillard PM
      • 6/42 Bremond
      • 4/82 Chevob Fortissimo
      • 4/77 Mandoline Zither
      • 4/75 PVF Mandoline PM
      • 4/72 Fortissimo PM
      • 4/52 American PM
      • 3/70 Burr Walnut PM
    • Tabatiéres >
      • 12/37 Ullmann
      • 4/61 Hamburg Tabatiere
      • 3/57 Burr Walnut
      • 3/70 Composition Tabatiere
      • 2/70 H Lecoultre
      • 2/70 Brass / Oak Tabatiére
      • 2/69 Sectional Tin Box
      • 2/69 Ebony
      • 2/69 Ducummun Girod
      • 4/62 Geneva Tab
      • 2/59 Leather Cased Tabatiere
      • 2/55 Tortoiseshell
      • 2/52 US Ebony
    • Classic
    • Manivelles >
      • Multiphone Manivelle
    • Disc Players >
      • Symphonion Brevete
    • Ceramic
    • Paperweights
    • Novelties
    • Non Musical Boxes
    • Other Items >
      • Wooden Games
      • Geneva Wheel
  • The Workshop
    • In the Workshop >
      • 3/37 LIbby
      • 12/129 NF Fat Cylinder RD
      • 8/131 Fat Cylinder NF RD
      • Bird Barrel Organ
      • 10/69 Bremond
      • 6/72 Lecoultre Freres
      • 6/50 Petites Musique RD
      • 4/72 PVF Fortissimo RD
      • 4/62 River Scene Tab RD
      • 4/60 Maple Diamond
      • 2/70 H Lecoultre Tab RD
      • 2/51 Photo Album Tabatiere RD
    • Coming Soon >
      • 8/97 Nicole Freres RD
      • 8/77 Bremond Drum & Bells RD
      • 4/78 Nicole Freres RD
    • How to restore a Music Box >
      • Mechanism Restoration
      • Case Restoration
      • Small mechanism restoration
  • Private Projects
    • 12/195 Lecoultre Freres RD
    • 12/72 Unknown RD
    • 8/130 Cuendet RD
    • 8/122 Ducummun Girod RD
    • 8/88 Paillard, Vaucher et Fils
    • 8/79 L'Epee RD
    • 8/78 Langdorff et Fills RD
    • 6/107 Nicole Freres RD
    • 6/104 Nicol Freres RD
    • 6/103 Unknown RD
    • 6/57 Cartel RD
    • 6/51 Petites Musique RD
    • 6/50 Paillard PM RD
    • 6/41 PVF Bells RD
    • 6/41 Ami Rivenc Cartel RD
    • 4/82 Chevob RD
    • 4/75 Paillard Mandolin RD
    • 4/57 Unknown RD
    • 4/52 American PM RD
    • 4/50 George Baker RD
    • 3/99 Opera Cartel RD
    • 3/36 Silver Birch Tabatiére
    • 3/36 Small Oak Tabatiére
    • 3/36 Burl Walnut Tabatiére
    • 2/82 Rzebitschek RD
    • 2/70 Piano Nécessaire
    • 2/69 Ducummun Girod RD
    • 2/58 Carved Paillard
    • 2/50 Cuendet
    • 2/32 Painted Music Box
    • 2/18 Personalised Mahogany Box
    • 1/37 Personalised Mahogany Box
    • 1/37 Personalised Oak Box
    • 1/18 Carousel
    • Cigarette Box Conversions
    • Do-terra Box
    • Necklace Box
    • Japanese Box
  • Commissions
    • Commissions & Restorations
    • Completed Commissions >
      • 12/72 Nicole Freres
      • 12/62 PVF Cartel RD
      • 12/62 Paillard Vaucher
      • 8/77 Unattributed
      • 6/66 Perrelet RD
      • 6/57 Cartel
      • 4/113 Henriot
      • 4/50 Reuge Tunbridge White
      • 4/50 Reuge Tunbridge Blue
      • 3/36 Reuge
      • 2/61 Palais Royale
      • 2/56 JGM RD
      • 2/22 Trinket Box
      • 2/56 Tabatiere SG
      • 1/29 Cigarette Box
      • 1/18 Chalet & Japanese Box
      • 1/18 Chalet
      • 1/18 Premilex
      • 1/18 Secol Carousel
      • 1/18 Tunbridge Ballerina Box
      • 1/18 White Christmas
      • 1/18 White Japanese
      • Pair of small 1/18 Boxes
      • Queen Victoria Album
      • Seasons Photo Album
      • Two small boxes
    • Repair Shop >
      • African Plant Pot Stand
      • Bagatelle
      • Chequered Table
      • High Chair
      • Jewellery Box
      • Large Writing Slope
      • Polyfon case
      • Sewing Boxes x 2
      • Small workbox
      • Travel Box
      • Victorian Necessaire
      • Victorian Sewing Box
      • Walnut Writing Slope
      • Victorian Writing Slope 2
  • Shop
    • For Sale >
      • 8/88 Pallard, Vaucher et Fils
      • 8/79 L'Epee Cartel
      • 8/38 Mermod Freres
      • 8/25 Unknown in Oak Box
      • 6/58 Ami Rivenc
      • 8/20 Voix Celeste
    • Stock
    • Sold >
      • 12/72 Unknown
      • 6/41 PVF Bells in sight
      • 6/41 Ami Rivenc
      • 2/55 Photo Album
      • 2/50 JGM Tabatiere
      • 2/22 Photo Album Movement
      • 1/18 Ex Mallorca box
      • 1/18 Balerina Jewellery Box
      • 1/18 Georgian Box
      • Japanese Butterfly Box
      • Barrel Organ Manivelle Kit
      • Bakalite Powder Puff
      • Gold Compact
  • Links

6/50 Paillard Tabatiére - Circa 1879

6/50 Tabatiére, in it original marquetry box with all original parts.
The box, sold by an antique dealer who knew nothing about Musical Boxes, was described as damaged with a section of the bottom missing and the mechanism as not working and no key. It arrived with the box full of broken glass as the movement was loose and had not been protected. ​The movement was jammed, probably because it had been dropped while in motion, so it was lucky not to have broken any of the comb.

Research material supplied by Paul Bellamy suggests that the box was probably made in Saint Croix, Switzerland, around 1879.
The Movement is likely to have been made by Paillard. The serial number suggests a close fit with Bulleid's Paillard chart.
HMS Pinnafore was first performed in 1878. Popular tunes usually appears a year later, which dates it to 1879/80. 

The images below are those used by the seller.

​The images below show the state as received and the components ready for the workshop

These images show the current state. It now has a replacement glass panel to protect it.

Work involved:
​Strip down, clean, reassemble, lubricate & adjust movement.
Add new stop lever return spring.
Source winding key.
Repair bottom of box.
Clean exterior and apply a layer of French polish.
Buy a new glass cover

There is a small piece of corner veneer missing which will be repaired in the summer.
Click to hear My Little Buttercup from HMS Pinafore

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Site last updated 8th March 2026
Images are Copyright of Elvendon Images and may not be copied or used without express permission in writing.
  • Welcome
    • About
    • History >
      • Glossary of Terms
      • Styles and Types
  • The Collection
    • Cartels >
      • 12/195 Lecoultre Freres Cartel
      • 12/129 NF Fat Cylinder
      • 8/131 Nicole Freres
      • 8/130 Cuendet
      • 8/122 Ducommun-Girod
      • 8/97 Nicole Freres
      • 8/78 Langdorff & Fils
      • 8/77 Bremond Drum & Bells
      • 8/77 Paillard Vaucher HE
      • 6/107 Nicole Freres
      • 6/104 Nicol Freres
      • 6/103 Unknown
      • 4/78 Nicole Freres??
      • 4/57 Unknown
      • 4/50 George Baker
      • 3/99 Cartel
      • 2/82 Rzebitschek
    • Petite Musique's >
      • 6/51 Petites Musique
      • 6/50 Petites Musique
      • 6/50 Paillard PM
      • 6/42 Bremond
      • 4/82 Chevob Fortissimo
      • 4/77 Mandoline Zither
      • 4/75 PVF Mandoline PM
      • 4/72 Fortissimo PM
      • 4/52 American PM
      • 3/70 Burr Walnut PM
    • Tabatiéres >
      • 12/37 Ullmann
      • 4/61 Hamburg Tabatiere
      • 3/57 Burr Walnut
      • 3/70 Composition Tabatiere
      • 2/70 H Lecoultre
      • 2/70 Brass / Oak Tabatiére
      • 2/69 Sectional Tin Box
      • 2/69 Ebony
      • 2/69 Ducummun Girod
      • 4/62 Geneva Tab
      • 2/59 Leather Cased Tabatiere
      • 2/55 Tortoiseshell
      • 2/52 US Ebony
    • Classic
    • Manivelles >
      • Multiphone Manivelle
    • Disc Players >
      • Symphonion Brevete
    • Ceramic
    • Paperweights
    • Novelties
    • Non Musical Boxes
    • Other Items >
      • Wooden Games
      • Geneva Wheel
  • The Workshop
    • In the Workshop >
      • 3/37 LIbby
      • 12/129 NF Fat Cylinder RD
      • 8/131 Fat Cylinder NF RD
      • Bird Barrel Organ
      • 10/69 Bremond
      • 6/72 Lecoultre Freres
      • 6/50 Petites Musique RD
      • 4/72 PVF Fortissimo RD
      • 4/62 River Scene Tab RD
      • 4/60 Maple Diamond
      • 2/70 H Lecoultre Tab RD
      • 2/51 Photo Album Tabatiere RD
    • Coming Soon >
      • 8/97 Nicole Freres RD
      • 8/77 Bremond Drum & Bells RD
      • 4/78 Nicole Freres RD
    • How to restore a Music Box >
      • Mechanism Restoration
      • Case Restoration
      • Small mechanism restoration
  • Private Projects
    • 12/195 Lecoultre Freres RD
    • 12/72 Unknown RD
    • 8/130 Cuendet RD
    • 8/122 Ducummun Girod RD
    • 8/88 Paillard, Vaucher et Fils
    • 8/79 L'Epee RD
    • 8/78 Langdorff et Fills RD
    • 6/107 Nicole Freres RD
    • 6/104 Nicol Freres RD
    • 6/103 Unknown RD
    • 6/57 Cartel RD
    • 6/51 Petites Musique RD
    • 6/50 Paillard PM RD
    • 6/41 PVF Bells RD
    • 6/41 Ami Rivenc Cartel RD
    • 4/82 Chevob RD
    • 4/75 Paillard Mandolin RD
    • 4/57 Unknown RD
    • 4/52 American PM RD
    • 4/50 George Baker RD
    • 3/99 Opera Cartel RD
    • 3/36 Silver Birch Tabatiére
    • 3/36 Small Oak Tabatiére
    • 3/36 Burl Walnut Tabatiére
    • 2/82 Rzebitschek RD
    • 2/70 Piano Nécessaire
    • 2/69 Ducummun Girod RD
    • 2/58 Carved Paillard
    • 2/50 Cuendet
    • 2/32 Painted Music Box
    • 2/18 Personalised Mahogany Box
    • 1/37 Personalised Mahogany Box
    • 1/37 Personalised Oak Box
    • 1/18 Carousel
    • Cigarette Box Conversions
    • Do-terra Box
    • Necklace Box
    • Japanese Box
  • Commissions
    • Commissions & Restorations
    • Completed Commissions >
      • 12/72 Nicole Freres
      • 12/62 PVF Cartel RD
      • 12/62 Paillard Vaucher
      • 8/77 Unattributed
      • 6/66 Perrelet RD
      • 6/57 Cartel
      • 4/113 Henriot
      • 4/50 Reuge Tunbridge White
      • 4/50 Reuge Tunbridge Blue
      • 3/36 Reuge
      • 2/61 Palais Royale
      • 2/56 JGM RD
      • 2/22 Trinket Box
      • 2/56 Tabatiere SG
      • 1/29 Cigarette Box
      • 1/18 Chalet & Japanese Box
      • 1/18 Chalet
      • 1/18 Premilex
      • 1/18 Secol Carousel
      • 1/18 Tunbridge Ballerina Box
      • 1/18 White Christmas
      • 1/18 White Japanese
      • Pair of small 1/18 Boxes
      • Queen Victoria Album
      • Seasons Photo Album
      • Two small boxes
    • Repair Shop >
      • African Plant Pot Stand
      • Bagatelle
      • Chequered Table
      • High Chair
      • Jewellery Box
      • Large Writing Slope
      • Polyfon case
      • Sewing Boxes x 2
      • Small workbox
      • Travel Box
      • Victorian Necessaire
      • Victorian Sewing Box
      • Walnut Writing Slope
      • Victorian Writing Slope 2
  • Shop
    • For Sale >
      • 8/88 Pallard, Vaucher et Fils
      • 8/79 L'Epee Cartel
      • 8/38 Mermod Freres
      • 8/25 Unknown in Oak Box
      • 6/58 Ami Rivenc
      • 8/20 Voix Celeste
    • Stock
    • Sold >
      • 12/72 Unknown
      • 6/41 PVF Bells in sight
      • 6/41 Ami Rivenc
      • 2/55 Photo Album
      • 2/50 JGM Tabatiere
      • 2/22 Photo Album Movement
      • 1/18 Ex Mallorca box
      • 1/18 Balerina Jewellery Box
      • 1/18 Georgian Box
      • Japanese Butterfly Box
      • Barrel Organ Manivelle Kit
      • Bakalite Powder Puff
      • Gold Compact
  • Links