Details
Image(s)
TitleBook Operated Musical Box 'Unikon’
Creator Jules Cuendet (mechanicus), Émile L. Cuendet (importeur)
PlaceL'Auberson (Switzerland), New York (United States)
Year ca. 1900
Object number0727
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with book
DescriptionThis rather rare hand-operated, book-reading music box is decorated with an image of a figure in a green dress holding a tambourine. Metal discs are a common program for music boxes, but they offer limited space for repertoire. An alternative, offered by this model, is the use of a book. Although they offered longer playing time, these "books" were less durable because they were made of thin, paper-covered zinc sheets held together with hemp.
Accompanying textsThe playing comb has 40 teeth. The potential for greater length of repertoire in Unikon music boxes was certainly exploited: one book, playing Hans Christian Lumbye's orchestral work Dream Picture Fantasy, is said to have been about 12 feet long!
The zinc booklet system was rare. The highest known serial number on a booklet is 116, so the circulation must have been limited at first. Today, only a few examples of this model are known worldwide.
The zinc booklet system was rare. The highest known serial number on a booklet is 116, so the circulation must have been limited at first. Today, only a few examples of this model are known worldwide.
Dimensions
geheel height: 16 cm
gehel width: 26.5 cm
geheel depth: 26.5 cm
deksel open height: 40 cm
gehel width: 26.5 cm
geheel depth: 26.5 cm
deksel open height: 40 cm