Restored 1900 15.5” Regina Double Comb Music Box 20 Disc incl Hear & See It Play

Restored 1900 15.5” Regina Double Comb Music Box 20 Discs– Hear & See It Play

Hear and See it Play:

Click on the following YouTube link and it should come up in a separate tab.  You can actually hear 3 different 15.5” discs in the link.  This music box has very good sound volume.  If you listen to the videos on your phone, you may want to turn the volume down some.

YouTube Video Clip:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scO3xTkkKig

To open the video on your phone, please hold your finger on the link for about 3 seconds for it to open and play.

To get the best sound effect, listen to the music on something other than your phone if possible.  A computer at minimum gives a decent feel for the base that a phone simply cannot reproduce. The video of the music are actual and not modified in any way.  I have included many photographs and several videos to give you as much information as possible in order to make a well-informed decision.

Dimensions and weight:  Please study these closely as this is not an ordinary “tinkly” music box.

Wide:  22”

Depth: 19.5”

Height: 14”

Music Box Weight:  approx. 54 pounds

Weight of 20 discs: 15 pounds

Discs included:  25 discs included with the box!

Overall the box presents itself very well with wonderful proportions.

Condition and Description:   This fantastic music box is in excellent running / playing condition.  I ran it through my shop, cleaned and made minor adjustments along with lubrication.  The mainspring was removed, cleaned, relubricated and returned to the spring barrel.  The mahogany cabinet is all original and in nice condition. .  The case has inlaid pinstriping and round mother of pearl “dots” in the corners front and sides of the music box.  See photos. I did put a light French polish on the lid and sides to bring out the beauty of the wood.  I would rate the mechanism at nearly a 10 out of 10, it is in that good of a condition with little wear.  Overall, this music box would rate about a 9 for beauty and sound.  It is stunning!!  Along with this music box is an information card listing the history of this specific music box from The Musical Box Society International who is the keeper of the original Regina Music Box Company records.  This music box was shipped from the factory on December 11, 1900 to Rudolph Wurlitzer Co, a retail store.  The card will be included with the box along with a reproduced copy of a Regina Manual “Practical Instructions Regina Music Boxes”.

Included with this music box is twenty (20) 15.5” diameter discs to play on this music box.  A value of about $1,000 as these typically run about $50 each.  Three of the discs included with this box are pictured in the YouTube video.  Most of the discs are the older original Regina discs.  They are playable, but may contain rust and or dents as typical with the older discs.

The 15.5” disc playing Regina is my all-time favorite size music box.  Yes, there are some larger and smaller, but for the home, the sound and …incredible variety of tunes available for this type of box, is unbeatable in my opinion.  Hens tooth discs has many titles available and they will even custom make discs for you.  Porter Music box has hundreds of discs for sale for this type and size music box.  The 15.5” Regina style Porter and Hens tooth discs will all play on this music box.  15.5” Antique Polyphon discs will also play on this music box.  If you need more information, please let me know.  No question too small.

Case:  Solid Mahogany.  There are some bumps to the surface with some minor repairs.  Please view all photographs for condition as they are part of the description.  Regardless, the box presents itself very well in my humble opinion.  The case has inlaid pinstriping and round mother of pearl “dots” in the corners front and sides of the music box.  See photos.

Lid:  The original lid has beautiful solid mahogany wood construction.  The very top design is slightly curved and an outer border of beaded mahogany molding.

Lock:  The music box contains its original functional lock and key with tassel.  As with all music boxes, I do not recommend over exercising the lock and key and you may end up with a locked box that is difficult to unlock.

Bottom Moulding:  Mahogany roman ogee type pattern.  See all photos as they are part of the description.

Mechanism:

General Comment:  The mechanism was taken apart, cleaned and lubricated with a natural oil.  The spring was removed from its housing, cleaned and lubricated.  It is in excellent running order.

Spring: The original spring was removed, cleaned, lubricated and returned to the barrel.  It is very strong, and in good condition.  I have not played from completely wound, to completely unwound, but it can play at least a dozen revolutions. When this box first came into my shop, it seemed to play ok, and then I noticed that I could only wind it up half way and the spring would slip and never wind up completely as it should.  Come to find out that the 125 year old grease had completely hardened and actually pushed the tail of the spring from the catch on the inner side of the spring barrel.  The spring was completely removed, cleaned, re-lubricated and replaced back into the spring barrel.  It works beautifully now.  This is a good lesson for someone that wants a bargain auction music box.

Mechanism:  Excellent condition with little wear.

Double Comb:  No broken, damaged or repaired teeth.  Dampers have been checked, cleaned and are in good order.  Comb was cleaned and lacquered to prevent rusting.

Dampers:  I spent a good deal of time on the dampers.  Little/no squeaks at all on this box’s music. The sound quality is excellent.  Please listen closely to the unaltered YouTube videos.

Control Levers and Winding Cank of the music box: 

Crank Winding handle:  The crank is original and most likely original to the box.

Start / Stop lever:  Functions as it should.  Move to the right to start and then to the left over the “stop” tab to stop.  You may put the stop lever in the stop position at any time during the playing of a disc, however, the box is designed to complete a full revolution to the beginning before it stops.

Celluloid labels:  This music box still retains its celluloid “STOP” and operation labels on the inside of the box.  These labels are usually damaged or completely missing.  This box is truly well preserved.

The overall condition of this music box is good.  It has been treated very well over time and does not display signs of being abused.  Other than a few bumps and bruises to the case, the mechanism is in excellent condition.  This box does not appear to have ever been attic or barn stored. I ran it through my shop and cleaned the mechanism and cleaned and touched up the finish and replaced the finish as needed with rubbed on shellac, just as the original.  I also put felt bumpers on the bottom of the music box to prevent scratching of the surface it is displayed.

Please study all photographs and videos as they are an important part of the description.  If you have questions, please ask prior to bidding.  A person is standing beside the box in the first photograph to help give a perspective of size.

Shipping:  I do ship worldwide using the Ebay shipping program.  If you are overseas and cannot place an order, please let me know.   I am well versed in packing these boxes and pack as well as possible.  The box should survive the trip baring a total crush.  I will insure the box against damage that will allow the buyer to collect on any potential damage should it occur.  I allow a two-week return policy if not satisfied.  If you should return the music box, it must be insured and returned in the same packing and condition as it was when it was sent.  Please note that due to the weight of the 20 discs (~20 pounds not boxed), I will need to send them separately.  I have added $30 in shipping calculator for the discs in the total shipping cost that is assigned at the end of the listing.  When I ship out the box and discs, I will send a message for the buyer on the tracking number for the separate box of discs.  I do have a booth at the Collector’s Antique Mall in Asheboro, NC.  I may also have this box on display at my booth there so that you can see it in person.

Local Pick-up and third-party shippers:  I would be more than happy for the buyer to pick up the music box in person to save on shipping.  If local pick up is the option you prefer, I will be glad to hold the box for you up to three months at no charge provided the box is paid for up front within three days of the sale. Since this box and the 25 metal discs are very heavy, I would recommend investigating a third-party shipper such as uship.com on line to see if they would be a more economical method of shipping.  It is very simple to use them.  Just set up an account and input the needed information and see what estimates they give you.  I have used them on a number of occasions with good results, even overseas.  However, please choose the shipping method you feel most comfortable.

Some interesting facts about 19^th century music boxes

The early 19^th century music boxes were truly a marvel and commanded high prices that only the wealthy could afford.  These first cylinder type boxes were considered the height of technology at the time.  Music boxes could cost as much as a 40-acre farm at the time.  They were a wonderful form of home entertainment that were astonishing works of art and music.  Consider this, each cylinder contains several thousand precisely placed pins that pluck the teeth of the comb.  The tuned comb itself was tuned by ear from a master comb.  Additionally, consider all of the metal used in the box was milled by hand and the wood was cut and shaped by hand.  No electric light, no electric motor, no electric saw, no electric tools, no digital tuner was used in the making of this box! Truly a beautiful elegant box that entertains from a simpler by-gone era.  This box was meant to last generations—and it has!  Compare this to your modern phone or television.  All disposable!

The cylinder music box fell victim to the disc playing music boxes of the mid to late 1890’s that could play many different tune discs(Such as this Regina). Up to several thousand disc tunes were available for most disc playing boxes.  The disc playing music boxes finally gave way to the cylinder and disc playing phonographs.  The last major music box companies were out of business by the end of WWI.  Over time most of these boxes were either disposed of or were ruined in basements or attics.  Particularly during the great depression.  These cylinder music boxes cannot tolerate hot temperatures.  Inside the pinned brass cylinder is a resin that keeps the pins of the cylinder in place.  The resin in the attic stored boxes would liquefy and fall to one side that would ruin the playing ability.  Please note that the resin of this cylinder was inspected and was still perfectly placed.

Please read this additional information on me.

I am a member of the Musical Box Society International and have been an enthusiast since the 1970’s.  I have been tutored by Ms. Nancy Fratti and restore music boxes in my spare time.  I do enjoy these treasures although sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out.  It is fun though!!

I troll auctions for good music boxes for restoration and have accumulated a number and variety of good boxes to restore that do not appear to have been abused or are within an inch of their life.  I typically not only restore the mechanism, but also either touch up, or partially or completely restore the finish.  I use only shellac that was used originally for the finish to the wood surface.  I will not buy music boxes with broken teeth, but have no issue buying music boxes that have had teeth professionally restored and tuned in decades past.  This is not an issue for me as some of the original boxes that were new had broken teeth in the manufacturing process and were replaced.  They were re-tuned and nearly unnoticeable unless you turn them over to look at the bottom of the comb.

I will be listing music boxes that I have restored as time goes forward, so keep my seller listing in your favorites.  I have several dozen boxes (some disc, but mostly cylinder) that I will be working on during my retirement and offering for sale.  If you have a particular type of box that you are looking for, please let me know and I can send you information and photos.  Please note that I have this particular music box listed in other selling venues and the listing could be pulled off without notice.

Cylinder Music Box Care and Playing Instructions:

1.       Do not store, display or leave the music box in very hot locations.

2.       Do not put water on the wooden parts.  Don’t use it as a table top for coffee cups.

3.       Do not oil.  The natural high-quality oil used on this music box mechanism should be good for at least a decade.  I complete a thorough service on the mechanism taking apart, clean and polishing all parts.  I make any needed parts usually by hand.  Some parts are lacquered with a special lacquer for brass.  All parts that require oil including the pins of the brass cylinder are oiled.  If you feel you must oil a part, use only a high-quality natural oil and very sparingly.  Never use a synthetic oil.

4.       Do not touch the comb or brass parts with your fingers.  Your fingers contain oils and acids that will cause tarnish of the brass and metal parts.

5.       Never touch the comb or the governor fan with your fingers.  If you see some dust, clean it off with a Q-Tip always brushing towards the teeth.  You can break the teeth, so be careful.

6.       If sufficiently wound, the music box should start on its own when put in the “start” position.  If it has been sitting idle for a very long time, it may not start when put in the start position. If this is the case, us a Q-Tip to gently give the governor fan a gentle push in a clock wise direction.  After that all should be well.

7.        Playing the music box:

·       After winding (See comments in point 8 below), push the start/stop lever to the “start” position.  The music box should start to play its air.

·       As long as the lever is in the start position, the music box will continue to play.  You can move the lever into the “stop” position anytime during the playing of an air, but it will only stop at the end of the air.  Again note, once the lever is put in the stop position, the music box will not stop until the air or song is completed unless the spring is wound completely down. 

·       While it is ok to wind the music box while it is playing, I recommend winding while it is in the stopped position.

·       While it is ok to open the inner glass dust cover door during the playing of the music box, please keep it closed other times so that it can serve its purpose of keeping dust off of the inner components.  Surprisingly, I have seen human hair get caught up in the governor fan and stop or interfere with the playing of the box.

·       Tune Reset:  At the end of the last air, and while the music box is playing and the change/repeat lever is in the change position, the brass cylinder will shift to the right via a spring on the left-hand side of the cylinder shaft.  It will make a noticeable “pop” noise and movement.  A first time music box owner may come “unglued” when they first observe the shift and think something is wrong.  This is absolutely normal.  After the shift to this position, it will start the first air listed on the tune card on the inner lid of the box.

8.       Winding the music box:

·       Do not over wind.  The spring in this music box is in excellent condition and can play many times in one winding.

·       Wind the spring via the crank handle with smooth steady motions.  Never fast jerky pulls.

·       After playing the music box, it helps to let the spring wind down some, but not to the point of completely exhausting the energy of the spring.

·       Keep the spring wound enough to allow the music box to finish the air that it is playing.  Never leave the music box stopped in the middle of an air (this only happens if the spring is completely wound down).  If left in the middle of an air for a very long time, it can cause distortion of the teeth.

9.       Display the music box anywhere you would like.  Keep away from radiators and out of long periods of direct sunlight.  Extreme heat can cause damage to the veneer and wood surfaces.

10.   Dust and or polish the outside wood surfaces with a good quality wax.  The finish is a good quality shellac.