Details
Image(s)
TitleDisc Musical Box
CreatorPorter Music box Company (manufacturer), Porter Music box Company (manufacturer)
PlaceRandolph (United States), Randolph (United States)
Year 1978
Object number0600
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with disc
DescriptionAlthough many music boxes make a fairly soft, delicate sound, this was not always the goal. Fortunately, certain techniques could be applied to make them louder. This music box has a double comb, with each comb containing 76 teeth. Whenever a single note is played, it is played simultaneously on two comb teeth to increase the volume.
Accompanying textsPorter music boxes used Polyphon brand records; this model plays 40-cm diameter records. The repertoire available in that format included dances, anthems, folk songs and popular hits like 'Daisy Bell' by Harry Dacre and 'Stille Nacht' by Franz Gruber. Classic favourites like Hans Christian Lumbye's 'Champagne Galop' and Benjamin Godard's 'Berceuse de Jocelyn', were also widely heard.
Music boxes, and mechanical instruments in general, were largely overtaken with the advent of the gramophone. However, this did not mean that they were no longer owned, used, sold or made at all. This modern example comes from 1978, almost a century after the gramophone became widely popular.
Music boxes, and mechanical instruments in general, were largely overtaken with the advent of the gramophone. However, this did not mean that they were no longer owned, used, sold or made at all. This modern example comes from 1978, almost a century after the gramophone became widely popular.
Dimensions
geheel width: 54 cm
geheel depth: 51 cm
geheel height: 34 cm
geheel open height: 73 cm
geheel depth: 51 cm
geheel height: 34 cm
geheel open height: 73 cm