For Sale

The boxes below are for sale and will be auctioned during 2026 if not sold privately.
Some have now been sold.
Click the red link for more photos and restoration diary if available.
Contact me if you want to discuss, need more information or would like to make an offer.

8/88 Paillard, Vaucher et Fils Mandoline Zither - circa 1884

Fully restored 2023

Auctioneers description
A very fine Mandoline Zither musical box by Paillard Vaucher et Fils.
Serial no. 1824, Gamme No. 1837.
Playing eight airs with devastatingly good notation. Single spring motor, on reeded cast gilt bedplate, the single-section comb with mandolin teeth in groups of up to 5 across 2/3rds the length and makers inscribed full length zither attachment on lever-select,
In ebonised interior under dustlid, lacking tune sheet, in noir grained and polished case with rosewood veneered lid having colour stained fruitwood inlays of bagpipes, score and hat among olive leaves, framed by triple boxwood stringing,
22 1/2in (57cm) wide the cylinder 13in (33cm) long.
Mechanism superbly restored by James Preddy in 2024.
Offers in the region of £1,500

8/79 L'Epee - Scottish aires - circa 1872

Fully restored 2023

Auctioneers description
A very nice musical box by L'Epee, playing eight traditional Scottish airs.
Serial No. 38769, Gamme No. 445, with turned treen handled lever-wind single spring motor. Single section comb on typical highly polished steel bedplate stamped AW (Adolphe Woog) in red stained interior under dustlid. Original period buff Acier tune sheet pasted inside lid in attractive noir-grained case with figured palm wood veneered lid framed by double boxwood stringing.
Extensively and superbly restored in 2023 by James Preddy.
Offers in the region of £1,200

6/58 Ami Rivenc - circa 1882

Unrestored

Auctioneers description
A musical box by Ami Rivenc playing six airs
Serial No. 31718 with small spring-motor and single-section comb on front to back reeded cast gilt bedplate. Grained case with ebonised interior and lid with ebonised moulded edge. Lacking endstone, dustlid and tunesheet. but still playing in this unrestored condition.
14in (51cm) wide, the cylinder 11in (28cm)
Offers in the region of £150