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MMD > Archives > January 2004 > 2004.01.09 > 01Prev  Next


1890 Gueissaz 8-tune Cylinder Musical Box
By Daniel Neo

-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD --

Hi Everyone,  This is my first post here.  I am new to vintage music
boxes, and have dug one up from the cellar recently.  The following is
the description (I did a lot of research on the internet to be able to
describe it properly: one week).

1.  Swiss made in Sainte Croix, believe to be by Gueissaz (around
    1890).
2.  It plays 8 songs, each about 45 seconds.
3.  The songs are in mandoline style (says on the tune card and can
    hear it repetitive tone).
4.  Lever wound with cylinder 13 inches or 33 cm long (winds ok, but
    doesn't last 10 minutes).
5.  Everything is working with no broken teeth or pins (a couple of
    pins are slightly bent).
6.  In-lay wooden box in good condition (no cracks - just lots of
    scratches everywhere)
7.  The butterfly that spins round makes a low whirling noise.
8.  The cylinder has tarnish.

If you can help on the following questions, it will be great.

1.  What can I do with the tarnish on the cylinder.  Must I send it
to a professional or can I do something myself?

2.  Does anyone have any opinion on the value?

3.  How long should the typical level wound mechanism work for music
box made in 1890?

4.  What would a full overhaul cost?

Thanks everyone for reading.

Daniel Neo in Munich, Germany


(Message sent Sat 10 Jan 2004, 00:13:45 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  1890, 8-tune, Box, Cylinder, Gueissaz, Musical

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