About me
Fully restored Lecoultre Freres 12/195 alternate tip circa 1862
I am a retired Project Manager, the son of a master craftsman woodworker, with a background in woodworking and all things practical. I firmly believe in the 'make do and mend' attitude. I like to recycle and upcycle things that have seen better days in their original form, but with a recognisable future use when 'improved' or 'modified' the make them useful in the modern world..
During the 2020 Covid Lockdown I discovered the BBC's The Repair Shop TV Programme, described by Will Kirk, the woodwork wizard, as 'The Workshop of Dreams'. One particular programme included the restoration of a small, but significant, musical box movement which inspired me to look more closely at Musical Boxes in general.
Musical Boxes, particularly the cylinder type, had always been a sidelined fascination for me and the programme literally 'lit my fire'.
I wanted to explore the world of these amazing artefacts and, being retired meant, I now had the time and some limited funds available.
I started quite big, purchasing this box via E-bay.
Having secured the item, I decided not to trust the great British courier to get it to me in one piece, so I collected it from the seller.
(I've since discovered that there are some wonderful couriers out there that are very capable of transporting things carefully.)
The case and mechanism had been lovingly restored by an amateur rather than a professional. I didn't know then quite how much more a professional would have done to this particular box, but my research suggests that the cylinder may have been a bit more shiny and the tip of the one note that is missing would have been replaced. Possibly the comb would have been tuned and some dampers replaced. The case would have been finished inside with black French polish and the exterior would be finished with shellac.
but at the time I was well pleased with what I purchased. (I have since done all of the above work)
However, there is no tune sheet, which means it's nigh on impossible to identify the maker or year of manufacture.
Some, if not all, of the tunes may be hymns or carols. A few have now been identified. If you can help click here and scroll down.
Musical Boxes, particularly the cylinder type, had always been a sidelined fascination for me and the programme literally 'lit my fire'.
I wanted to explore the world of these amazing artefacts and, being retired meant, I now had the time and some limited funds available.
I started quite big, purchasing this box via E-bay.
Having secured the item, I decided not to trust the great British courier to get it to me in one piece, so I collected it from the seller.
(I've since discovered that there are some wonderful couriers out there that are very capable of transporting things carefully.)
The case and mechanism had been lovingly restored by an amateur rather than a professional. I didn't know then quite how much more a professional would have done to this particular box, but my research suggests that the cylinder may have been a bit more shiny and the tip of the one note that is missing would have been replaced. Possibly the comb would have been tuned and some dampers replaced. The case would have been finished inside with black French polish and the exterior would be finished with shellac.
but at the time I was well pleased with what I purchased. (I have since done all of the above work)
However, there is no tune sheet, which means it's nigh on impossible to identify the maker or year of manufacture.
Some, if not all, of the tunes may be hymns or carols. A few have now been identified. If you can help click here and scroll down.
The purchase of this box encouraged me to learn more, and I began scouring E-bay, auction houses and other selling media for boxes that interested me. I was particularly looking for some to restore myself, but on a much smaller scale to the one I'd bought - well to start with anyway!
Meanwhile I joined the Music Box Society of Great Britain (MBSGB) and the Association of Musical Box Collectors (AMBC) of which I am now a Committee Member and Webmaster. I also administer their online membership system.
This website catalogues most of the boxes purchased and tracks what I have done, or am going to do, to restore them, where that was, or is, necessary. There are also some 'Repair Cafe' items that are not music boxes that I've 'saved' for myself and other local people.
As I got more 'into the world of music boxes' I became more 'discerning' and looked for the more classic boxes, some with well known tunes and particularly ones made by the more reputable later manufacturers such as Reuge and Thorens for the smaller 'classic' cartels.
My passion began to emerge as being for the smaller Tabatiére or 'Snuff Box' types with a 50+ note comb and two or more tunes on the cylinder and the collection grew. These boxes form the majority of my collection which continues to grow slowly. I look for the unusual and have been quite successful in buying some very interesting boxes with unusual movements or cases.
However, the large Cartels are now my main passion. I look for boxes to restore that have a tune sheet an identified maker and that are 'unusual' in respect of the movement, tune selection and marquetry. These are taking up more of my time and space ... and I now even have a couple of Polyphons to restore, but they may need to wait quite some time.
Some smaller boxes have been sold, some are for sale, some have been handed to members of the family and some will remain in my personal collection.
In addition to Music Boxes, I've also restored some antique boxes and other items that are not musical - though some have become musical along the way! See Sales & Commissions for more details.
I've now learned enough about Cylinder Musical Boxes to have put together an hour's illustrated talk on the subject.
To date I've spoken to Probus groups, u3a Antique Appreciation group, Rotary Club and a Church goers coffee group in the Reading area, with more bookings in the pipeline.
Contact me if you would like me to talk to a local interest group near you.
I am happy to travel up to 50 miles from my home in South Oxfordshire.
I hope you enjoy browsing this site. I am very happy to hear from anyone who has a question, requires advice or would like to offer me advice or information. I'm even up for hearing from anyone wishing to sell a box, or would like help with restoration.
Meanwhile I joined the Music Box Society of Great Britain (MBSGB) and the Association of Musical Box Collectors (AMBC) of which I am now a Committee Member and Webmaster. I also administer their online membership system.
This website catalogues most of the boxes purchased and tracks what I have done, or am going to do, to restore them, where that was, or is, necessary. There are also some 'Repair Cafe' items that are not music boxes that I've 'saved' for myself and other local people.
As I got more 'into the world of music boxes' I became more 'discerning' and looked for the more classic boxes, some with well known tunes and particularly ones made by the more reputable later manufacturers such as Reuge and Thorens for the smaller 'classic' cartels.
My passion began to emerge as being for the smaller Tabatiére or 'Snuff Box' types with a 50+ note comb and two or more tunes on the cylinder and the collection grew. These boxes form the majority of my collection which continues to grow slowly. I look for the unusual and have been quite successful in buying some very interesting boxes with unusual movements or cases.
However, the large Cartels are now my main passion. I look for boxes to restore that have a tune sheet an identified maker and that are 'unusual' in respect of the movement, tune selection and marquetry. These are taking up more of my time and space ... and I now even have a couple of Polyphons to restore, but they may need to wait quite some time.
Some smaller boxes have been sold, some are for sale, some have been handed to members of the family and some will remain in my personal collection.
In addition to Music Boxes, I've also restored some antique boxes and other items that are not musical - though some have become musical along the way! See Sales & Commissions for more details.
I've now learned enough about Cylinder Musical Boxes to have put together an hour's illustrated talk on the subject.
To date I've spoken to Probus groups, u3a Antique Appreciation group, Rotary Club and a Church goers coffee group in the Reading area, with more bookings in the pipeline.
Contact me if you would like me to talk to a local interest group near you.
I am happy to travel up to 50 miles from my home in South Oxfordshire.
I hope you enjoy browsing this site. I am very happy to hear from anyone who has a question, requires advice or would like to offer me advice or information. I'm even up for hearing from anyone wishing to sell a box, or would like help with restoration.
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