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MMD > Archives > October 1995 > 1995.10.04 > 02Prev  Next


Re: Punched Tin Music Disks
By Marc Kaufman

>  From: charlesc@jax.jaxnet.com   To: ALL                       Orig: MBNET
>  Subj: Punched Tin Music Disks   Area: 3-rec.antiques          Date: 10/02/95
> =============================================================================
> I am trying to find out some information about some punched tin
> music disks that belong to my father. He has 70-80 of these disks
> and really wants to find out what kind of player uses them. He
> would also like to find out approximately what they are worth so
> he can insure or sell them.
>
> Each disk is 15 5/8" diameter. There is a center hole which is
> 5/16" diameter.  There are also two other holes, one on each side
> of the center hole, with their centers 3/4" from the center hole,
> and a diameter of 1/4".  In line with the three holes is an arrow
> pointing toward a notch in the rim. The notch is 9/16" along the
> diameter of the rim and 1/16" into the rim.
>
> Above the center hole and going from just above the center hole
> toward the rim, there is a number (song number?), the type of
> song ('Waltz Song'), the song's name, the name of the song
> writer, the word 'SWISS', and a star embossed into or printed
> onto the metal.
>
> There are holes around the rim (for the drive?). The sides
> parallel to the perimeter of the rim are rounded (1/8" long) and
> perpendicular to the perimeter of the rim are straight (7/32"
> long).
>
> If anyone knows anything about these disks, what they are played
> on, their value, how old they are, or anything else, please let
> us know.

They are probably Stella Music box disks, if there are no projections from the holes.  If there are, they are probably Mira Music box disks.

Depending on condition and the tune, disks can be purchased from $20 to $50 each.  New disks are available from Barry Johnson in Mountain View, California.  Barry may also be interested in purchasing some of the disks if they contain tunes he does not have in his library:

        Barry Johnson Music Box Company
        2423-F Old Middlefield Way
        Mountain View, CA  94043
        (415) 964-0685

Barry also makes parts for Stella repair, and might be able to help you find a Stella to play your disks on.

Marc Kaufman

(Message sent Thu 5 Oct 1995, 01:31:38 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Disks, Music, Punched, Tin

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