Mechantiques - Mechanical musical instruments bougth, sold & traded

Updated September, 2011
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DISC MUSIC BOXES
 
   
 

NSK-1 (46) Painted Case Regina Dragonfront Style 27" Disc Automatic Changer Here is a super opportunity for someone who is either interested in something different or wants to do a little cosmetic work. This is a top of the line Regina automatic changer the largest (27" disc) size, carved dragons on the upper doors (no gallery, but this model never had one), piano style back, the later lever lift mechanism, and in the much scarcer home model with the solid wood panel in the bottom rather than glass. Someone took a lot of artistic license with this and did a really pretty wonderful job of painting it, although the case is dirty and some of the paint (especially on the right side) is worn but the relative high quality of the decoration makes one wonder why it was done and by whom, we have seen another instrument, a piano handled by Dave Bowers, that was special ordered for Herbert Hoover and very close to the same design of painting, so you can make up your own story with this one or try to research it (it went out of the factory as a plain mahogany case)! The mechanism has been restored and the sound is exceptional, this is a very fine example of the genre. The lithograph inside has been replaced. This is a bargain price reflecting the painted case, but you might well consider it a great positive! With twelve discs. $19,000.




 

 

PPA-1 (42) Rare Monopol “Glorioso” 26 3/8” Disc Upright Music Box. What a fabulous music box! Without a doubt one of the finest sounding disc music boxes I have ever heard. Designated the “Glorioso” by Monopol, this is their largest size music box and truly deserving of the designation, we have never had one before. The sound is big and rich and full and clear, and there are a good number of discs with it – 23, all in nice condition. The bedplate is truly amazing with the highly decorative casting, and the motor is as large a motor as I have ever seen on a disc music box. The case was modified long ago (possibly at the factory but probably not) to remove the columns and give it a more refined look. We have had a full restoration done on the mechanism. A wonderful and rare opportunity. This is a very large music box with the base cabinet measuring 36” wide, 35 ¼” high, 22” deep and the music box measuring 32” wide, 42 ½” high, 16 ¼” deep. With 23 discs. $18,000



 

 

CT-18B (45) "Symphonion Chimes" 27" Disc Music Box With Bells. This is the largest disc music box that Symphonion made and one of their most scarce models. It was made quite late in the disc music box era, by Symphonion in the United States (bedplate is marked New York). Very large and highly decorative case in beautiful oak (probably has been refinished). Beautiful loud clear sound, bright bells. Serial number 12640. With twelve bells. Older mechanical restoration. Crank not original current crank is from a Regina Sublima I think. Home model, very little wear on combs. No damage or repairs to the combs. A rare opportunity to acquire one of these large and delightful sounding disc bell boxes. This is an enormously impressive music box, both visually and musically, in exceptional condition, and is the largest size made with bells. Moreover it is one of the modest number of Symphonions made in the U.S. An outstanding opportunity. With fourteen discs. $21,500.
"ON HOLD!"
 



 

  CA-118A (29) Oak Regina 27” Autochanger “Dragonfront” Style. Lovely Regina 27” automatic changer with the great “dragonfront” carved doors and in the scarcer Oak wood case and the more desirable early single upper door. Panel back. The case was very nicely refinished at some point, replacement “shelf” in front (they came very close to matching the finish so even though the underlying wood isn’t correct, it does not detract). Had had a recent full mechanical restoration and works beautifully and sounds great, one of the louder playing Regina changers we have had in recent years, exceptionally nice. Coin-operated, now $0.25. Damage to one crank knob. Excellent combs, no repairs. Early serial number 30289. $19,000 [Note – we are currently having trouble getting this instrument to change discs properly, it does okay going in one direction but in the other direction it tends to pick up two discs at the same time. We think one or more gears may need modifying in the changing mechanism. Until we can figure this problem out the Price Is Reduced To $17,000]

 



 

   
 

ANC-128T (36) Large Carved Oak Disc Storage Cabinet. I don't know what to make of this, I suspect it was made as something else and modified to hold discs, but I really don't know. What I do know is that it is very well made, has beautiful carving, and does indeed work as a disc cabinet for discs up to 20 ¼" in diameter. It even has a large panel/shelf for sorting discs on. Very impressive. 50 ½" high, 38" wide, 27" deep. $1,150



 

 

ANC-128L (35) Rare Stella 26" Disc Upright with Inlaid Cabinet This is a huge music box - I think it measures 80" tall! Stella's largest size, apparently not many of these were made. Sounds like no Stella you have ever heard (unless you have heard a good 26" of course). This one has been mechanically restored (it did have a number of broken teeth, but you would never know it). Big, strong sound with excellent bass, lovely. Highly decorative bedplate. Disc bin panel has floral inlays. Comes with twenty discs. More discs are available. $15,500.  [HOLD - DO]


 

 

ANC-128O (32) Rare Polyphon Style 5G 22 1/4 Autochanger with Saucer Bells. We purchased this one at auction in Brazil (see what lengths we go to for our Mechantiques customers!) a wonderful and rare Polyphon 22 1/4 automatic changer (actually an automatic lifter, in fact you have to manually select the disc you want) in the lovely Art Nouveau style case. There is an identical example on page 161 of Bower s Encyclopedia except that the pictured example has bar bells, while the one we are offering has the much more desirable saucer bells. All Polyphon autochangers are rare and desirable, this model with bells is the queen of them all! This Polyphon model is so rare and so wonderful that we arranged to have it fully restored by Ralph Schultz, both cosmetically and mechanically, and it is due back here in early December. Pediment doesn't show in these photos, but a reproduction is in process. A fabulous and rare machine with the more desirable saucer bells, $26,500 [HOLD - DO]


 

  PCU-118A (30) Kalliope 23" Disc Upright Music Box. Excellent combs with no repairs (looks like one tooth might need replacing). Looks like mechanism has been cleaned and we have had it checked out. Typical bright clear Kalliope sound very nice. No base. Eight discs with rust on surface. Missing coin escutcheon. No motor cover. Beautiful grain on case. Top finial missing, pediment probably has been stripped. Very attractive upright music box that sounds great. $7,300



 

  SL-108C (27) Regina Mahogany “Dragonfront” 27” Disc Automatic Changer. Beautiful all original Regina 27” autochanger with the very desirable carved dragons style upper doors. This one has recently had a full mechanical restoration and sounds wonderful. Deep, rich, clear, loud tone. Beautiful dragon carvings. Rich mahogany finish (I think it is the original finish, it is very nice). This is perhaps the earliest 27” autochanger we have ever had, with a serial number of 30074 it was just the 74th example sold and was shipped in 1898. These early style 27” autochangers had the more attractive single upper door, and the dragon carvings are particularly sharp. Litho on inside back looks new. Wonderful early brass hardware on the side for cranking and for selecting discs – there is a cap over the coin slide hole, quite probably this was never coin operated since it has an original stop/start lever, and with the wonderful sound of this example, it couldn’t have had a lot of use. There is a non-visible weld repair to a mechanical part which doesn’t affect anything.. No damage or repairs to combs. With twelve discs. $21,000



 

  MD-158 (23) Regina 20 ¾" Disc Autochanger Home Model in Mahogany. Very nice all restored example. Mechanism has been completely restored (cranks are new as is the lithograph), combs are excellent and required no repair. This is a scarcer home model, not coin operated. Case looks like it has been refinished, a pretty nice job, has the gallery but the finials are not original. Plays well, sounds very nice. Serial number 45113.  - Price Reduced to $20,000.



 

   
 

NJ-11 (15) Regina 27" Disc Autochanger Very nice all original example of this very popular style and size Regina music box. The largest true music box that Regina made, with fine sound and the fascinating autochanger mechanism. Nice oak case showing some wear and age. Piano style sounding board back. Manual stop start, might have been converted from coin operation at one time as there is a place in the side for a coin slide but no evidence of a coin mechanism. Purchased from a family in New Jersey. Has had a very light going over and is working and playing very well. With 12 discs (more are available).  - Price Reduced to $21,000.


 

  DT-1 (12) Rare Coin Operated Imperial Symphonion Double Comb Mahogany Music Box With 20" Discs. Imperial Symphonion was the U.S. brand and was a very late development for Symphonion of Germany. While this name is seen in smaller sizes, it is very unusual to see an Imperial Symphonion in this large 20" size. We have only seen three or four of these (two of which are on this list!) and this is the only coin operated model we have ever seen. Playing very nicely, beautiful combs and tone. Missing the two inner boards, which we plan on having replaced. Case is about 27" wide, 22" deep, 12 ½" high. With four discs - this example uses the hole drive whereas TJ-1 uses the dimple drive.  - Price Reduced to $5,800  
 



 

  TJ-1 (13) Rare Imperial Symphonion Double Comb Music Box with 20” discs. Yes, another “rare” Imperial Symphonion. How can we say these are rare and still have two in stock at the same time? Well, first, we have never had one before in our 35 years of dealing in antique mechanical music, and second, we had to search out this example and buy it at a substantial price in order to get a few discs to go with DT-1 (which came with only one disc) – we have known about this Symphonion for 4 – 5 years but couldn’t justify the purchase price before. This example is in exceptional restored condition, including a beautiful refinishing of the lovely oak case. The combs have some pitting however these are thick combs and it has had no effect on the tuning or the quality of sound. Very nice sounding. With twelve discs. - Price Reduced to $5,700.  
 



 

  RA-1 (14) Regina 20 ¾" Disc Autochanger Upright Music Box. Nice fully restored (mechanically) all original example of by far the scarcest size Regina autochanger. Sounds great and the timing is excellent, resulting in very crisp arrangements. All 20 ¾" disc Regina music boxes are scarce, particularly in the autochangers - this is a real shame since they tend to have the best arrangements and are the most musical of all of the Reginas. This example has had a full mechanical restoration and looks like new inside, the case has been cleaned and attended to but the finish remains a little rough. There is a gallery which came from another 20 ¾" changer which is probably original but we're not sure, but it sure looks nice. Has the most desirable piano sounding board back. One really neat thing is that it still has its original etched lower glass panel, which is usually missing or replaced (Regina was rather foolish to have put a glass panel down where it would get easily kicked or bumped in a commercial environment) - I don't know if it will come out in the photo but it is beautiful. Coin operated. New lithograph. There is some veneer missing on the left end of the center shelf. With 12 discs. Ready to go!  - Price Reduced to $21,750.  [HOLD]


  ON-206 (10) Collection of Stella 26” Discs. Rare opportunity for those fortunate enough to have a 26” Stella music box to buy additional musical discs for your machine. We have an extraordinary grouping of 141 extra discs. Will be sold in lots of ten or more. We hope to pick these up in late January and will be able to discuss condition and perhaps titles at that time. $85 per disc, discounts for purchases of more than ten. 
 
 

(1) Exceptionally Rare Mahogany Olympia 28” Disc Upright – Only Example Known of the Largest Disc Music Box Made In America. We are excited to be able to offer this apparently unique American music box. This music box first surfaced when it was offered by American International Galleries in their 1977 – 1978 catalog, from the Bernard Kaufman Collection. Imagine, owning an Olympia 28” disc music box, when F. G. Otto’s commercial production was only composed of 20 ¾” or smaller models. This was undoubtedly a trial effort, perhaps for a national Exhibition, designed to compete (exceed – due to the larger disc size!) with the immensely popular Regina 27” disc boxes, perhaps done late in the life of the F. G. Otto company. In fine restored condition (older restoration), with four expertly replaced teeth, and with a number of discs (actually there are 9 original discs plus 13 reproductions from one source and 4 from another source, I believe all nine were reproduced from these originals). Plays very well, has quite fine combs, and has a finer sound than a 27” Regina. Very decorative mahogany case with columns, carved fretwork, paneling, and with an inlaid eagle in the rather odd looking pediment. Disc storage area in the bottom, but no dividers. I expect this was made for an exhibition but obviously never got into commercial production. Unknown in Bower’s Encyclopedia. An exceptionally important piece of mechanical music Americana. Truly a museum piece. PRICE REDUCED TO $28,000  [HOLD - DO]

 

 

S-13 (2) Scarce Home Model Kalliope 23" Disc Upright Music Box on Base Cabinet. Scarce home model Kalliope 23" upright. Complete with base cabinet (missing interior holder for discs). Slight warp to door. Bedplate is un-restored on this home model (not coin operated like 95%+ of the examples found) and sounds great. Motor is beautifully restored. We have a non-original pediment that looks good and goes with it. With eight discs. $9,400


 

S-17 (3) New Century 18 ½” Disc Double Comb.  New Century 18½" Double Comb.  Nicks on lid.  Restored.  Mechanism very loud and bright.  Some motor noise.  Wonderful and scarce marque.  Includes fourteen discs (one is new).  - Price Reduced to $6,350.

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(4) Olympia 15 ½” Disc Music Box with Oak Pressed Design Case. 15 ½” double comb Olympia with five broken teeth (only two are grouped) in double comb. Very nice oak case with pretty pressed design on front. Both damper rails are missing. Original governor is missing and someone had started on a replacement governor, which will have to be recreated properly. Center end of hold down bar is not correct. Only one disc with this one. Great opportunity for the restorer.  - Price Reduced to $1,400.

 

 

 

   
 

OZ-60 (8) Scarce Regina 15 ½” Automatic Changer In Mahogany “Commercial Style” Case. Full mechanical restoration is currently underway. Regina 15 ½” automatic changer, mahogany, flat front, metal legs, serial number 3500008. This is the scarce “Commercial Style” case with flat front and cast iron legs, see Bowers Encyclopedia, page 194, lower far left, “Corona 36 Flat”. Has piano back. Case has been refinished. Very attractive and desirable. $19,000.


 

 

OZ-61 (9) Oak Case for Regina 15 ½” Commercial Style Changer. Case only, oak, for Regina 15 ½” disc flat front automatic changer. Metal legs. Very pretty.  - Price Reduced to $800.

 

 

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DISCS! DISCS! DISCS! We make no attempts to sell discs other than when someone buys a music box and wants extra discs. As a result we typically have over 1,000 discs in stock of various makes and sizes. Heavy concentration in Regina, Polyphon, Stella, Mira. If you want to buy in quantities of ten or more with no list, email or call us and we’ll send you a price list. Otherwise, please stop by and you can go through them. We also discount for very large quantity purchase.

 

 

Updated September, 2011
Vienna Clocks  |  Disc Music Boxes  |  Cylinder Music Boxes  |  Large Pipe Organs
Automatic Pianos & Orchestrions  |  Phonographs  |  Reed Organettes 
  Books  |  Other Mechanical Music  |  Other Non-Musical Coin Operated Games
Buy an Item  |  
Home


 Contact us at info@mechantiques.com.

Click on Any Photo to Make it Larger