"Band Box"
By Dick Bueschel
Jerry Slonsky wrote:
> When someone played the juke box the curtain would open to reveal
> five or six small figures moving and playing different instruments.
> They would appear to be playing to the music.
That's the name of the machine: "Band Box". It was made by Chicago Coin Company in 1950 with the legend "Strike Up The Band." It came back in 1951 with a new legend "Play The Hit Tune Of The Week."
The value was fairly within reason until the Dr. Smith Auction at Sothebys in September 1994. A 1951 "Play The Hit Tune..." went for $8,625 plus ten percent, and a modified "Lawrence Welk" legend version went for $4,887 plus ten percent. The miniature band figures have been reproduced for restorations. Terrific piece.
What has never been found is a photo of the Band Box in use. You should have taken a picture in that Akron restaurant, way back when.
Dick Bueschel |
(Message sent Sun 9 Mar 1997, 13:54:49 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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