THE MUSICAL BOX
BOOK REVIEW

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Music boxes are referred to as mechanical musical instruments which make music by themselves. They are the forerunner to the jukebox. They have been made by master artisans since the 1700s, playing classical music, hymns, operatic arias and popular tune by means of discs or cylinders. The industry started in Europe, flourishing in Switzerland, Germany, and Great Britain, finally crossing the Atlantic to America before ending in the early 20th century.

The Musical Box: A Guide for Collectors is the definitive reference for anyone interested in the history of music, mechanical music, and musical technology, with complete diagrams of the various types of mechanical movements used over the centuries, indexes of manufactures, box styles, and tune sheets, and complete American and British patent lists.

What distinguishes this book is the extensive use of detailed line drawings of the key parts of a music box so that you see how the machine works and if need be, how to fix it. Unlike other music box books, which provide only the history of the music box, this book has a chapter to provide Advice for Collectors and a chapter on conservation, preservation and restoration.

Through out the book are examples of coin operated music boxes. You may have noticed that they are beginning to show up at Slot/Jukebox shows around the country. The price guide is extremely useful if you ready to expand you coin op collection into music boxes.

This hardcover book by Arthur W. J. G. Ord-Hume is 336 page and has almost 600 illustrations, including some beautiful color photos. It sells for $79.95 and is available from your local bookstore.

Copyright: 1996 Ken Durham

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Ken Durham
GameRoomAntiques
Email: durham@GameRoomAntiques.com
http://www.GameRoomAntiques.com