Mechanical Music Digest(tm) Auctions

MMDGalleryAuctionsChartres Auction, May 2001

Me Jean-Pierre Lelièvre - Pascal Maiche - Alain Paris
Commissaires-priseurs associés
1 bis, place du Général de Gaulle - 28000-Chartres
Tel.* + 33 (0)2 37 84 04 33
Fax.* + 33 (0)2 37 36 34 71
E-mail: galeriedechartres@wanadoo.fr

Mechanical music consultant for this auction :
M. Philippe Rouillé, (expert CNES),
Tel.* +33 (0)1 42 36 10 25  Fax.* : +33 (0)1 42 33 69 81
* Do not dial the first (0) if you are outside France.

Important notice.

This English translation is given only for the convenience of English speaking clients, and tries to be as reliable as possible. Nevertheless, only the French text of the catalogue (with the occasional corrections given during the auction) is conclusive. (Please read the general conditions of the auction on the back of the cover of the French catalog). If you have any doubts or questions about an item, please ask the auction house before the auction.

This translation describes only the automatas and the mechanical music instruments included in the auction (Lots 700-820). There will be also, at ca 4 pm, many phonographs and related materials, coin-operated or gambling machines, and fairground artifacts which are described in the French catalog.
If you are interested in dolls, there is a special auction (and catalogue in French) on Saturday May 13th, with ca 700 lots.

The price mentionned in the estimates is the price expected at the hammer, in French Francs. For the buyer, add a total premium of 11 % (exactly 10,854 %) on the hammer price.

A reference is sometimes made to the Q. D. "Bowers" Encyclopaedia of Automatic Musical instruments (Vestal Press, USA, 1972 and many subsequent reprints).

Chartres is a beautiful old city, about 1 hour from Paris with a car or by train.  You may visit one of the finest XIIIth century cathedral in France, with wonderful deep blue stained glass windows ("le bleu de Chartres"). It has been for centuries a well known pilgrimage.  The auction will take place about 300 yards west of this cathedral, in an old gothic chapel, at the Galerie de Chartres.

The three auctionneers are MM. Jean-Pierre Lelièvre, Pascal Maiche and Alain Paris.  For any information or to get another catalog (please specify if you want this English translation too), just write or fax to the above mentionned address, or send an e-mail to : galeriedechartres@wanadoo.fr

Large exerpts of the catalogue (and the results after the auction) will be published, as soon as possible, at the following web address :  http://www.mmdigest.com/Auctions/Chartres0105/index.html

701 "Les orgues de Barbarie des Alpins", Le Petit Journal 24 Oct 1897, good condition (the cover engraving features an army ballroom in the Alps, with a mechanical organ !).
Est. 100/200 FF

702 Three 33 rpm records with fairground organ music (of which "Limonaire 1900 Renard").
Est. 100/200 FF

703 "Epinal" engravings ("moyennes constructions") : 8 printed plates to be cut, depicting animated pictures
Est. 200/300 FF

704 "Epinal" engravings ("moyennes constructions") : 8 printed plates to be cut, depicting animated pictures
Est. 2/300 FF

705 "Epinal" engravings ("moyennes constructions") : 8 printed plates to be cut, depicting animated pictures
Est. 2/300 FF

706 "Les automates truqués", A book by Adolphe Blind
Est. 2/300 FF

707 A rare booklet (in German) about the "Wasser Automaten" in the Salzburg castles.
Est. 3/500 FF

708 A book by Alfred Chapuis : "Les Automates dans les oeuvres d'imagination"
Est. 3/500 FF

709 Alfred Chapuis et Edouard Gélis : "Le monde des Automates", in two soft-bound volumes, Paris, 1928.
Est. 6/8.000 FF

710 Alfred Chapuis et Edmond Droz : "Les Automates", à Neuchâtel, édition Le Griffon, one cloth-bound copy in red, the other one in green. They will be sold separately.
Est. 5/800 FF

711 Ernest Mandron : "Marionnettes et Guignols", à Paris. Half clothed bound.
Est. 5/800 FF

712 Duranty : "Théâtre de marionnettes", à Paris chez Charpentier, 1880, half clothed bound.
Est. 5/800 FF

713 André-Charles Gervais : "Marionnettes et marionnettistes de France", à Paris chez Bordas, 1947
Est. 5/800 FF

714 Christian Bailly : "L'âge d'or des automates", original edition, in cardboard case
Est. 5/800 FF

715 Five modern books on automata : Prasteau, Monte-Carlo, ABC Décor, Jean Bedel, Maingot.
Est. 1/1500 FF

716 Ten books or booklets on automatas or puppets,
Est. 7/1000 FF

717 Fairground Art, by Geoff Weedon and Richard Ward.  The Art forms of travelling fairs, carrousels and Carnival Midways. In cardboard box, 33 x 27, 312 p very richly illustrated in color, 1981 White Mouse Editions. Condition as new.
Est. 400/800 FF

718 Christian Bailly, "L'âge d'or des automates".
Est. 3/500 FF

719 L'Art du facteur d'orgues, de Dom Bedos de Celles, 1766, in French. (The Art of the organ builder).  Photocopy (format A4, under rhodoid binding) of the part of this famous work related to the cylinder organs and their notation. pp. 563-671, and plates XCII to CXXXVI.
Est. 400 / 600 FF

720 Bowers, Encyclopedia of Musical Automatic Instruments, the " bible " of the collector.  More than 1000 illustrated pages.  Vestal Press,
1972-74.  Hard-bound, very good condition.
Est. 500/1.000 FF

721 Two books in German,  Drehorgel, by Zeraschi (Leipzig, 1976), and Das mechanische Musikkabinett, by S. Wendel (catalogue of the Rüdesheim museum, Taschenbücher, 1987). Very good condition.
Est. 200/300 FF

722 Les instruments de musique mécanique, by A. Buchner, hard-bound, many illustrations, 240 p. Gründ 1991.
Est. 200/300 FF

723 A small musical toy depicting a barrel organ player, German, ca 1970.
Est. 1/200 FF

724 "Musicano", an interesting music box with note-yourself metal perforated stripes. Swiss, ca 1960. Good condition.
Est. 300/600 FF

725 A musical tile, mid XXth c. Two tunes with tunesheet : "J'embrasse votre main, Madame", et : "Boutonne ton pardessus". 28x28 cm. Good condition.
Est. 6/1.000 FF

726 A musical photo album, velvet cover. Pretty small movement "excelsior quality " (blocked).
Est. 700/ 1000 FF

727 A small Spanish Verbena barrel piano, case decorated with transfers, handles, tunesheet. 38x2Ox39 cm. Cylinder playing 4 tunes on metal bars and a bell? (the lid could not be open due to rivets). Rather good condition, mid XXth c.
Est. 12/1.800 FF

728 A small 16 keys Ariston to restore. With 7 cardboard discs.
Est. 600/1200 FF

729 A religious musical electrical lamp, depicting the Lourdes Grotto with the Holy Virgin and Ste Bernadette, in gilt metal, with bisque flowers. Plays one tune (Ave Maria). Original tunesheet under the base. H. 39 cm.
Est. 1/2000 FF

730 A musical alarm-clock, with a curious fat cylinder, 6 cm long. Pins are stamped as in a disc box. Key-wind (lack key). One tune (4 broken teeth). Wooden case. H. 46 cm. Ca 1900.
Est. 600/1000 FF

731 A musical alarm-clock. H. 37 cm, 2 tunes in playing condition.
Est. 6/1000 FF

732 A 3 tunes musical box in need of restoration. Case 33x16 cm (lid, separations and commands lacking). Lever wound, nickelled movement cyl. 15 cm. 3 broken teeth. Good sound, end of XIXth c.
Est. 5/1000 FF

733 A 6 tunes musical box to restore, Beautiful case L. 55 cm with decorative marquetry (boxwood stringing and attributes of music). Cyl. brass 33 cm. Has suffered a run. Zither. Various lacks (of which barrel and regulator).
Est. 4 / 800 FF

734 A small musical base with separated teeth, Oval black wooden base L. 22 cm (accidents). Movement of snuffbox type stamped UMM (?) cyl. 6 cm, 2 tunes, 14 groups of teeth by 5. pull-winding. Needs cleaning to restart. Ca 1850.
Est. 8 / 1500 FF

735 Two musical photo albums, One small (missing music), the other wit a good music with two tunes (mechanics to be re-examined, missing cover).
Est. 300 / 600 FF

736 Two musical photo albums, One with a 2 tunes movement, the other with movement missing. Just as they are (various accidents).
Est. 300/500 FF

737 A fine musical painted metal snuffbox, 3 tunes.  Box decorated with a scene of a lake landscape with two walkers "Roschach amndt Bodensee", signed VD or MD on the right.  109 mm.  Movement 3 tunes with cyl. 72 mm, stamped 325 Gaillard on the bedplate. Command for changing tunes incomplete. Beautiful sonority and playing. Ca mid XIXth c.
Est. 25/3.500 FF

738 A rare and pretty musical painted metal snuffbox, 2 tunes, Box painted in deep blue with lid finely decorated with gilded interlacings and flowers (small wears).  92 mm.  Cyl. 62 mm playing on 70 teeth (by groups of 5).  Start and change commands restored. Very beautiful play (a few damper noises).  Very good general condition. Ca 1840.
Est. 25/4.000 FF

739 A beautiful musical composition case snuffbox, with its tunesheet (rare). Pressed black lid representing very finely the lovers Helene and Pâris, he playing the lyre.  97 mm.  Small restorations (base, hinge).  Card of the two tunes (Il baccio of Arditi, Last thought of Weber).  One piece keyboard.  Plays very well. 2nd half of XIXth s.
Est. 25/4.000 FF

740 A " Melody Player " organette, 16 keys,  In a lithographed metal box (a satyr plays a flute to make a nymph dance). With one perforated paper roll. 19xl7xl7 cm. Good condition (some scratches). XXth c.
Est. 1/ 1500 FF

741 A toy Organ by Wolverine Toy Organ, lithographed metal Case imitating a theatre organ 27xl4x32 cm. A crank at the back makes it possible to produce three long melodious chords (reeds). Good condition. Mid XXth c.
Est. 1/ 1500 FF

742 A small 16 keys organette  "la Coquette". Long. 27 cm. Seems complete, but needs restoration. With 6 endless cardboard stripes in good condition.
Est. 800/1500 FF

743 A small "American" 14 keys organette. Case 33x28x19cm. Handle. Plays on endless paper stripes (which run over and under the case). Ca 1900. (See similar one in Bowers p. 773 right). With 6 stripes (tear). It works, but needs restoration.
Est. 18/2500 FF

744 A rare and attractive small organette, " The Organina ", Pretty case with decoration of gilded transfers with inscription " The Musical Marvel ". 23x20x28 cm. Expression shutter on top. Behind a convex glass panel, movement with reeds 16 keys. End XIXth c, beautiful condition (remade bellows), plays well. With three stripes of perforated paper. (V Bowers, p 771 end of the page).
Est. 4 / 6.000 FF

745 A mechanical toy of a dog jumping from a basket. Mid XXth c.
Est. 4/600 FF

746 A mechanical rabbit playing a bass drum. With real fur. Decamps, ca 1950, rather poor condition.
Est. 7/1000 FF

747 A towing toy, depicting a little boy presenting a bunch of flowers and shaking small bells. Bisque head stamped "S PB" inside a star, "H 4600 12", open mouth, fixed glass eyes. Accident to the end of the left foot. Mechanism in working condition. H. 32 cm.
Est. 3/5.000 FF

748 "A dance at the village", A fine animated scene under glass dome, credited to Phalibois : on a platform, under a green roof, 4 bisque female figures dance. 2 tunes musical movement, pull winding, ca 1880. H. 50 cm.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

749 A 10 tunes musical clock picture.  Gilded frame (small accidents) 73 x 84 cm.  Landscape with characters, animals, church, river and background of mountains. "Movement of Paris" with ringing of the hours and half hours on gong, starting a beautiful cylinder musical movement with 10 tunes, 7 inches 1/2 (cyl. brass 21 cm) playing on  47 teeth (some rust).  Beautiful coloured tune sheet.  Good general condition, good playing and sonority.  2nd half of XIXth c.
Est. 10/15.000 FF

750 "A monkey on a barrel plays his violin", A fine automaton probably created for a luxury shop. The cardboard barrel opens to reveal inside a place for 4 (spirit or scent ?) bottles (missing). Beautiful movements of the monkey's head and jaws, clothes in XVIIIth c. style. At the monkey's feet, a cat  moves a leg, and a dog barks. Under glass dome, with a small musical movement. End of XIXth c. Height : 44 cm.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

751 An automaton by Lambert of a flower girl, "La bouquetière". Beautiful automaton with original blue silk clothing, Jumeau bisque closed mouth head, with red stamping, three movements, one tune musical movement in a red base. H. 55 cm
Est. 22/28.000 FF

752 A fine and rare automaton by Lambert, of a young girl with a bird cage ("Jeune fille à la cage à oiseau", or "Bébé cage").
Rare smiling Jumeau head taille 4, moule 203, bisque neck and hands, chestnut paperweight eyes. 4 movements, two for the head, and right hand which shows a cage hold by the left hand, a bird hopping in the cage. Fine original condition of the clothes, on a red velvet base with one tune musical movement, tunesheet "La valse des roses". End of XIXth c. Height 48 cm (see catalogue).
Est. 40/60.000 FF

753 An exceptional Roullet Decamps pair of "Black Musicians", End of XIXth c. Height : 1,45 m. The man plays a transverse flute, and the woman a Pan flute. Inside each musician, a powerful clockwork mechanism moves the player and makes an exceptional cylinder organ movement plays four tunes on 12 wooden pipes. For each player, movements of the head and the eyes. The man moves his fingers while playing, and the woman moves her hands and head to play the Pan flute.
The heads and the limbs are in pressed leather, according to the famous tradition of Roullet-Decamps. Costumes have been remade in conformity with the original ones, about 50 years ago (the old worn costumes will be given to the buyer). Excellent presentation and working condition (some usual adjustments are advisable).

    
The rarity is in the existence of a pair, as the man is referenced in the Decamps catalogue. Another player in the Guinness collection is shown in the book by Bailly p. 126 and 274. Another player was presented in an auction of the Antique Turn House in 1978. But we do not now to this day about a similar model for the woman.
(See also the patents by Theroude n° 73504 of Oct. 24, 1886, which is reproduced page 29 in Bailly's L'Age d'or des Automates).
Est. 400/500.000 FF

754 A beautiful musical box by "Nicole Frères à Genève", fat two per turn cylinder.  Original tunesheet of the 12 traditional operatic tunes. N° 39309, gamme 2048.  Box with marqueterie of flowers on the lid, sides painted imitation wood.  54 x 23 cm, high.  17,5 cm. Lever-wound, 3 commands, brass bedplate.  Fat cylinder (repinned) 31 x 8 cm, 130 teeth. Restored, beautiful sound and playing, excellent condition.  Ca 1860/65.
Est. 20/30.000 FF

  
755 A rare large vertical Kalliope musical box with 12 bells, on a (not original) basis containing the 52 cm discs.  Case in mahogany  (revarnished), glass door with gilded inscription painted on glass :  "Harmonie automatique, une pièce de 5 centimes".  Total dimensions :  high.  173 cm (+ pediment 33), width 74 cm, depth 43 cm. Crank winding, spring Movement, protected by a glass cover  (remakes).  Choice of play on one or two turns.  Two keyboards face to face, each one including 27 bass teeth, 33 treble, and 6 bells, so 112 teeth in all including the 12 bells. Excellent general condition and sonority. With 10 discs. German, end of XIXth c. (The Gallery of Chartres already sold a similar instrument in May 2000).
Est. 40/60.000 FF

756 A fine automaton by Lambert of a "Bouquetière",  A sitting young girl breathes smelling a bunch of flowers in her left hand, moves her right hand and rises her right leg. Closed mouth bisque head credited to Jumeau, bisque shoulders and hands, (faded) old clothes. On a musical base (2 tunes). H. 42 cm.
Est. 20/30.000 FF

757 A large automaton by Vichy of a woman with a bird.  Mechanism inside the body. The woman holds a basket from which emerges the bird. Movements of the head and the arms, vocal mechanism imitating the bird's chirp. Very fine original clothes. Unhappily the Jumeau head is in bad condition (restoration, an important lack, not original shoulders, accident to right hand). With music. H. 55 cm.
Est. 20/25.000 FF

758 An automaton by Lambert of a "Nègre fumeur",  (smoking Negro), composition head and hands, paperweight eyes, movements of both arms, the head and left leg. Seated on a small table. The smoking system works (replaced tube) : bellows, 3 commands on 2 cams. Original satin clothes (usual wear). H. 66 cm. On a red velvet base with 2 tunes musical movement, 54 teeth. (Victoria Waltz by Schuloff, Toreador song by Bizet 1875), with tunesheet.
Est. 30/50.000 FF

759 An automaton by Lambert "Bébé et ses jouets", (Baby and its toys). Fine automaton patented in 1894, red label on the base inscribed "LB Breveté Paris". Single tune music on 46 teeth "Petit Papa", with tunesheet. Bisque head stamped "SH 1037 7 Dep", bisque hands, movements of eyelids, arms, pivoting head, reclining body, rising right leg. It stamps its feet. 6 commands on 4 cams. H. 44 cm. It holds in its left hand a clothed mignonette (small doll).
Est. 30/40.000 FF

760 An automaton by Phalibois and Thibouville-Lamy of a Monkey playing a violin, Composition head, fine movements of the seated monkey : head, eyes, jaws, left arm. Mid XIXth c. On a small barrel organ (plays, but needs tuning), restored by Michel Bertrand. H. 60 cm.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

761 A rare Orphenion coin-operated table musical box, discs of 34,5 cm. Box 59 x 43 cm, high.  22 cm.  Crank-winding.  Restored mechanism (some replaced parts).  Apparent barrel, two keyboards on line (50 + 20 teeth).  With 9 discs (7 old and 2 modern by Clegg): Polka, marche, waltz...  Beautiful play and sonority.  Germany, ca 1900.  (Bowers, p 133 says that few were manufactured, generally of excellent quality).
Est. 10/15.000 FF

762 A spectacular "buffet style" cylinder musical box.  Blackened wooden case, doors and sides plated walnut with boxwood stringing decoration.  High.  56 cm, width. 85 cm, depth 30 cm.  Movement " in sight ", fixed on the back of the box. Crank-winding, double nickeled barrel, 2 commands.  Nickelled cyl. 33 cm playing 8 popular tunes (of which the Marseillaise, Martha, Santa Lucia) with accompaniment at will of 6 bells, drum and zither.  Beautiful general condition.  End of XIXth c.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

763 A beautiful 49 keys Limonaire organ, Beautiful old frontage (usual restorations). Central block: 112xl63 cm, depth: 70 cm. Total dimensions: width 225, high with top 237. N' 4010 on a panel and the key frame. Ca 94 pipes (bass, several stops of open and stopped pipes, trumpets with square wooden resonators, piccolos), of which some located behind the red curtain. Large drum, side drum, cymbal. Good general condition, some restorations and modifications (of which electric motor with speed control). Plays well. Ca 1900. With 5 cases containing old and modern books of music (approximately 90 in all). This organ played until 1985 in a guinguette [a small restaurant with music and dancing] of Nogent-sur-Loir (between Le Mans and Tours), " Le Bon Poisson ".
Est. 100/150.000 FF

764 A Calliope vertical musical box with 50 cm discs. Case with coin-operated mechanism and random distributor of marbles. (Some worm holes, some remade parts, lack the top). High 100 cm, width 72, depth 42 cm. Choice 1 or 2 turns. Two keyboards face to face 29 + 25 teeth each one, so 108 teeth in all. Zither at will. Good condition, but sonority to be improved. With approximately 20 discs.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

765 A good Mira table musical box, with 24 cm discs. Case 42x3l cm. Two keyboards face to face 47 teeth each one (1 broken tooth). Excellent sound. With 18 discs of 24 cm.
Est. 6/ 10.000 FF

  
766 A beautiful organ 52 keys to be restored, most probably by Gasparini.  Beautiful old front to refresh:  gilded carved wood, and paintings (flowers, posts, etc).  Dimensions of the central block:  width 135, high 180, depth:  85 (100 with wheel).  Total dimensions with percussions and top: width 270, high.  235. depth 100.  Place for a central automaton (lacking).  Approximately 140 pipes (7 bass trombones, 3 rows of violins, various sets of open and stopped pipes, a set of 20 trumpets with square wooden resonators in front), large drum, side drum, cymbal.  In fine " fairground " original condition (undoubtedly for a carrousel, considering its form, with two wings in withdrawal), usual restorations and 11 small pipes remade in the center.  Does not play.  Ca 1900.  Sold without books of music.
Est. 70/100.000 FF

767 A beautiful musical box by "Lecoultre Frères à Genève", 8 English tunes according to (facsimile) card.  The first tune is a fine imitation of a peel of bells (rare).  Simple box (restorations, bottom remakes), 52 x 18 cm, high.  13,5 cm.  Red interior, winding by reversed lever, 3 commands.  N° 35600 on brass bedplate.  Brass cyl. 33 cm, playing on 102 teeth (treble block of 5 remade).  Good play and sonority, restored, very beautiful condition.  Ca 1865/70.
Est. 9/12.000 FF

768 A large 15 inches cyl. musical box with "voix célestes", 8 traditional tunes according to original diamond-shaped tunesheet (Brémond?). Inlaid lid box, sides painted in false wood.  64 x 28,5 cm, high.  27 cm.  Lever-wound, 2 commands.  N° 37433 on lever, card and bottom of box, and 9322 on card.  Brass cyl. 35,5 cm, 2 x 34 teeth and 15 keys for reeds.  Some small restorations, very beautiful condition, plays well. Ca 1870.
Est. 18/25.000 FF

769 A beautiful barrel piano " H. Labussière in Hesdin (P de C) ".  Coin-operated. Very beautiful case and top with parts out of wood cut, style 1900. Painted fabric of a navy scene (very worn). Width 105 cm, High 151 (+ top 35), depth 65 cm. Spring engine. 38 keys piano + 8 bells. 10 tunes, large wooden cylinder 78 cm, wooden frame. Complete, but needs cleaning and attention.
Est. 7/ 10.000 FF

770 A rare and beautiful XVIIIth century serinette, by Welters in Paris, Walnut case with discrete molding plane around the lid and the base.  High.  15 cm, Width 26,5 cm, depth 19,5 cm.  At the interior, on the left side, handwritten inscription "vandu (sic) on April 16, 1778".  Handwritten card (not very readable) of the 8 airs (1. Le Cri du rouge ... 5. La Bûcheronne ...  6. Vaudeville ... 7. L'on dit que ...), and at side labels printed (not very readable):  "WELTERS, Maître Luthier, fait et vend toutes sortes de Serinettes et autres instruments ... à Paris".  Apparently complete (except the spill valve), fine crank with wooden handle, cylinder (no mark) of 18 cm, finely noted (pins of different size, as described by Engramelle in La Tonotechnie, 1778).  10 metal open pipes (some bumps).  In good original condition, but needing restoration.  A similar serinette, signed "Veuve Welters ... 1781", incomplete, was sold in Paris Drouot (Me Oger) the 2/2/1994, n° 29.
Est. 8/12.000 FF

771 A large Olbrich musical Austrian clock. Typical, decorated case with gilded bronzes, mirrors, 4 alabaster columns, two winged fantastic animals and an eagle with a double head at the top.  High.  73 cm, width 38, depth 15 cm.  Clockwork with two gongs, starting the music located in the base.  Good
typical movement with key winding , two tunes, signed "A. Olbrich in Wien", cyl 9 cm, bass teeth on the right.  Good condition but plays too quickly.  2nd half of XIXth c. Rare in this beautiful general original condition.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

772 A 8 tunes musical box with hidden drum and bells. Case of contoured shape, plated at the outside in oak with decoration of brass stringing, and mahogany inside. 55x28x28 cm. Small accidents. Handwritten tune-sheet, varied program half French half English (Le maréchal Ferrand de Musard, la Prise de Sébastopol, la nouvelle fleur de l'Andalousie de Schubert (sic), etc.). Interior without separations, lever-wound, 2 commands. Large brass cylinder 3lx8 cm, playing on 86 teeth (including 8 drum and 3 bells). 1 tooth broken, 4 replaced.

Good sound and playing, although currently confused due to a bad adjustment of the snail. Good general condition, ca 1860. Interesting box, whose form and curious disposition of the movement inside evokes some similar boxes attributed to l'Epée.
Est. 8/12.000 FF

773 A superb portable barrel piano, 30 keys, Very beautiful case inlaid on the front (flowers) and the sides (decoration with checkerworks). Front and back ornate panels removable, with a gilded wood decoration carved with a small mirror on the front panel. 57x43, high: 105 cm. Beautiful ornate crank, cylinder 45x20 cm playing 8 tunes on 29 keys piano and a bell at will. Very beautiful instrument of the middle of XIXth century, in a very good  and sound original condition. It plays, but out of tune.
Est. 15 / 25.000 FF

774 A rare and beautiful musical box, movement attributed to L'Epée, 8 tunes, key-wound, ca 1845. Pretty (not original) serpentine case in oak. A separation rises to give access to the key-winding and the 3 commands. 48xl9xl4 cm. Beautiful movement n' 4822, massive brass bedplate, cylinder brass 28 cm, 80 teeth. Facsimile of instructions and tunesheet, of which: " Amazones, Gysèle, and Cachucha " (sic). Plays briskly and well noted, beautiful general condition (except 4th air, various damaged pins). This movement is typical of the beginnings of the firm L'Epée, which took the succession of Henri Paur in 1839.
Est. 10/ 12.000 FF

775 A clown seated on a barrel and playing a violin, a fine mechanical musical toy. Rare bisque head with "white clown" make-up, stamped "Paris SL.0". Mechanism working with a handle. Very fine original condition. 36 cm.
Est. 8/12.000 FF

776 An automaton by Lambert, of a Polichinelle woman playing cymbals. Ca 1890, bisque head stamped "AMI Dep Made in Germany", bisque hands. One tune musical movement. Movements of the head (laterally) and of the hands (striking the cymbals). 2 commands on 2 cams. H. 58 cm. (Ref. 9 of the Lambert catalogue, photo p. 173 in the Christian Bailly book).
Est. 25/30.000 FF

777 An automaton by Roullet Decamps of a "Bébé aux baisers",  ca 1880. A baby looks at himself in a mirror and send kisses (2 commands on 2 cams). Open mouth bisque head stamped in red ink "Déposée Tête Jumeau", bisque hands. One tune musical movement. Satin clothes, partly old, in good condition. H. 56 cm.
Est. 18/25.000 FF

778 A curious Vichy automaton in need of restoration, depicting a tree-trunk on which is seated a character, Jumeau head, bisque arms. A mischievous head comes out of the trunk. Mechanism with music, apparently in good condition. (Cf. "L'âge d'or des automates", by Chr. Bailly, p 92 : "clown comique"). H. 25 cm.
Est. 20/30.000 FF

779 An automaton of a monkey playing the guitar, clothed with fur. Musical mechanism inside the body. Movements of the head, jaws and arms. Unknown maker of the XIXth c. H. 40 cm.
Est. 10/15.000

780 An automaton depicting a nurse and her baby in a pram, in a garden, as a manivelle toy from end or XIXth c. Fine closed mouth bisque heads. Needs attention. With music. 38x24 cm, H. 32 cm
Est. 12/18.000 FF

781 A large Reuge modern Sublime Harmonie musical box, 3 tunes. Luxury varnished spotted wood box with marquetry of attributes of music. 43.5xl9.5 cm. Cylinder 22 cm playing out of 144 teeth (2x72) 3 tunes by Rossini (William Tell, Barber of Seville, Pie voleuse). Condition as new, in its original cardboard transport case.
Est. 5 / 8000 FF

782 A large Reuge modern Sublime Harmonie musical box, 3 tunes.
Luxury varnished wooden box with marquetry of flowers and birds. 4lxl9.5 cm. Cylinder 22 cm playing out of 144 teeth (2x72) 3 tunes by Beethoven (3rd, 6th (piccolo effect) and 9th symphonies). Condition as new, in its original cardboard transport case.
Est. 5 / 8000 FF

783 A large mechanical piano " jazbandor ", cupboard-shaped. " Zanelli, Aix-les-Bains ".  Coin-operated. Beautiful plated walnut piece of furniture, decoration of garlands and flowers painted in grisaille [decorative painting in gray monochrome] style 1900 with two arms of light (electrified) with decoration of small glassware. Width 138 cm, High. 200 (+ pediment 32), depth 73 cm. Piano with metal framework. Spring engine. Large cylinder 105 cm (some narrow slits), 39 keys piano and 15 accessories (2 drums, cymbals, woodblock, 8 tubular bells). Beautiful general condition and plays well. 1st third of the XXth c.
Est. 12/18.000 FF

784 A good keywound 4 tunes music box movement, Brass 20,6 cm cyl. playing on 113 teeth. Brass bedplate 29x11 cm. Tune change command and instant stop need completion. Exc. notation and beautiful deep sound. Mid XIXth c. In a later varnished mahogany box. 46x15 cm.
Est. 4/6.000 FF

785 A small and curious 10 keys (?) organette, with the tracker bar covered by a curved metal cover, and two period books of music. Good working condition. Ca 1900.
Est. 18/2500

786 A 24 keys standard Ariston organette (40 cm). Needs restoration. With 25 cardboard discs in good condition.
Est. 2/3.000 FF

787 A 24 keys standard Ariston organette (40 cm). Needs restoration. With 35 cardboard discs in good condition.
Est. 25/3500 FF

788 A Manopan reed organ, 39 keys, large model with endless books of music. Beautiful black case decorated with posts and stringing (small scratches) 73x40x33. Forte Effect by side drawer. Beautiful condition, it plays (driving of the book to be re-examined). With 1 book. Ca 1900.
Est. 15/18.000 FF

789 A large 49 keys " Limonaire Frères Paris 1895 ",  according to the inscriptions on the large remade and repainted frontage (flowers, women of Mucha style, etc), with electric lighting. Dimensions of the central block: width 125 cm, high 188, depth 85 (100 with wheel).  Total dimensions with percussions and top: width 287 cm (4,30 with the folding ornamental panels Mucha style), high. 320. depth 100. N° 3955 on key frame. Driven by electric motor 220 v. Ca. 86 pipes (trombones, open and stopped pipes, trumpets with square wooden resonators, tubular metal resonator clarinets, piccolos), large drum, side drum, cymbal (carrying inscription R. Lannoy). Various restorations and modifications, plays well. With approximately 150 books of music, most of them in 9 wooden fairground cases, part old and part modern. Est. 70/100.000  FF

790 An automaton of an old man with a mandolin, with his dog at his feet. Fine and rare old man's German pressed bisque head. Movements of his head and right hand, and of the ears and tail of the dog. On a musical base. Mid. XXth c. H. 60 cm.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

791 A small automaton of a shoemaker, 4 movements, 2 for the head, and one for each arm. Painted terracotta head and hands, on a musical base. Mid. XXth c. H. 40 cm.
Est. 10/15.000 FF

792 An fine automaton by Lambert of a "Fillette à l'oiseau", (Young girl with a bird). Closed mouth Jumeau head taille 4, chestnut paperweight eyes, bisque shoulders and hands, with 2 movements of the head. She sends kisses with her right hand and with her left hand, she raises the cover of an egg under which a chicken appears. (Repair to the right hand, chicken not original). Clothes and wig renovated. On a one tune red velvet covered musical base. In good working order. End of XIXth c.
Est. 22/28.000 FF

793 An automaton by Lambert of a "coquette à l'éventail", (a smart woman with a fan). Simon & Halbig open mouth bisque head. 4 movements (not original head, shoulders missing). Bisque hands, style clothes. On a red velvet covered musical base. End of XIXth c. H. 48 cm.
Est. 15/20.000 FF

794 An automaton by Roullet Decamps of a "Joueuse de grosse caisse", (a girl playing a bass drum). Closed mouth Jumeau head, taille 1, bisque hands (accidents to the fingers), lateral movement of the head, and of the two arms which strike the drum or the cymbals. In good working order. Not original clothes. On an octagonal musical base. H. 50 cm.
Est. 18/25.000 FF

795 Some fine carrousel parts, beginning of the XXth c., with six sheet iron stapled pairs of horses, and three gondolas with a mignonette. With a round wooden base, and some parts of a mechanism. Together are sold 3 small dolls for a musical box. (In need of restoration).
Est. 15/20.000 FF

796 A reed 42 keys portable barrel organ, Good artisan manufacture from various old parts, of which the cylinder of 48 cm playing 6 tunes. Black case 63x30x58. It plays, but requires various adjustments.
Est. 10 / 12.000 FF

797 A 6 tunes musical box, cyl 20,5 cm. Painted case simple imitation wood. 37.5xl6 cm. Beautiful handwritten tune-sheet (Verdi, Strauss, etc). Red interior, Lever, -wound, 2 commands (tune stop to be implemented). Brass Cyl. 20,5 cm. Has suffered a run, but no broken teeth. Ca 1870. Deserves a restoration (of which repinning of the cylinder).
Est. 18 / 2500 FF

798 A large 6 tunes musical box with "voix célestes", Octagonal case (many accidents and lacks), with on the front a metal medallion "Aux Enfants Sages. Guiton Fabt. Paris". 70x32x25 cm. Beautiful movement, lever-wound, brass cylinder 33 cm, 18 reeds on the left, and 83 teeth on the right (1 broken). Beautiful sonority, set of reeds to be re-examined. Various small lacks (commande, Maltese cross, cabinet work), but the essential is there and deserves a beautiful restoration.
Est. 6 / 12.000 FF

799 A reed organette, 14 keys, 38x30x20 cm. Various restaurations. With 6 modern endless books of music. In working order.
Est. 2/3.000 FF

800 A 24 keys Ariston organette, large black case 48 cm. Single set of reeds. With one cardboard disc. Restoration in need of completion.
Est. 1500/2000 FF

801 An interesting 3 tunes music box movement, teeth by groups of two, to be restored. In a blackened wood oval clock base (lacks, 46x22 cm). Brass bedplate, L. 27 cm. Keywound, (two teeth of wheels need to be remade). Brass 19,6 cm cyl. in good condition (without inside cement), playing on 96 teeth (2x48), including 10 broken. Ten bass teeth have brass "leads" (rare), a third of the teeth have feather dampers (some lacking) fixed by red shellac. No mark of maker. This movement is a beautiful witness of the first manufactures, ca 1815/20, and deserves a beautiful restoration.
Est. 2/4.000 FF.

802 A small barrel piano 6 tunes A. Martin, Madrid. Pretty varnished wooden case with handles, a fabric represents a dancing couple. Tunesheet (of which Italiano Tango, and Fascination). 55x33x59 cm. Crank, semi-metal frame, cyl. 40,5 cm (a few small splits), 35 keys, including 2 bells and 2 wood blocks. Mid XXth c, beautiful condition.
Est. 4/6.000 FF

803 An fine window-case automaton of a juggler monkey, playing with a ball. Electrically driven. 7 movements through threads. H. 85 cm.
Est. 25/4.000 FF

804 An electrical automaton in the XIXth c. style, "La fille au panier" (A girl with a basket), bisque head, composition hands. It moves its head and rises its arms. Credited to Marcu ?. H. 62 cm.
Est. 6/10.000 FF

805 An automaton of an Elephant and a mouse, Spectacular electrical automaton in the XIXth c. style. The elephant is made of staff (plaster) covered with skin, its tusks out of horn, glass eyes. On his back is a bisque head character who moves its umbrella. A skin-made mouse runs around the feet of the elephant, who moves its head, its tail and its trunk. H. 80 cm, width: 31 cm, length: 56 cm.
Est. 8/15.000 FF

806 9 Ariston discs.
Est. 100/200 FF

807 34 Symphonion 19,4 cm discs. Good condition.
Est. 500/800 FF

808 A lot of pipes, valves, etc. for a mechanical organ.
Est. 300/600 FF

809 A 70 keys keyframe, and two pneumatic distribution boxes for an automatic organ. As is (some lacks).
Est. 400/800 FF

810 A 58 keys keyframe for a fairground organ. Good condition.
Est. 500/1000 FF

811 22 rolls for a Rolmonica (small automatic mouth organ).
Est. 200/400 FF

812 Various paper rolls : 88 notes, one "Pleyela chanteur", one Duo-Art test roll (modern ?).
Est. 300/500 FF

813 Ca 10 rolls : Phonola, Angelus, 88 notes, etc. bad condition.
Est. 100/200 FF

814 19 rolls for an Orchestrelle Aeolian Grand, width of paper 25,8 cm, fairly good condition.
Est. 500/600 FF

815 Ca 20 rolls for an Orchestrelle (amidst them a waltz by CH. Steinway).
Est. 500/600 FF

816 11 rolls for an automatic accordion ? Paper width : 32 cm. Various conditions (moisture).
Est. 100/200 FF

817 12 red Welte Mignon rolls. Rather poor condition.
Est. 300/600 FF

818 A lot of ca 15 books for a Limonaire 49 keys, some inscribed Limonaire. Various conditions.
Est. 500/1.000 FF

819 A lot of spare parts for an organette, in a box for an organ cylinder. Pressure gauges, reeds, valves, etc. and a small 3 notes round manivelle music box.
Est. 400/800 FF

820 Ten artifacts to decorate a window-case, ca 1960, with lighting or movement : birds, pine-trees, a lady in a bathing suit, etc.
Est. 8/1200 FF

821 A beautiful accordion mid XIXth c., 24 keys, Fine marquetry style Boulle decoration, mother-of-pearl keys, seems complete but needs restoration.  In its veneered box.
Est. 7/1.000 FF

 - ca 60 grammophones, phonographs or related material,
 - and ca 25 lots of coin-operated or gambling machines, and fairground artifacts.
 - Dolls : lots n°s 1-699 : auction on Saturday May 19th, ask for the special catalogue.

End of this auction : ca 6 PM.  Our next auction of mechanical music, dolls, automata, etc. will take place at the beginning of December 2001.
 

MMDGalleryAuctionsChartres Auction, May 2001