History

Self-playing instruments have a fascination that attracts people of all ages and have done so for many years. The origins of the familiar cylinder musical box exists in early clocks where the music was provided by a pinned cylinder activating a series of bells. At the end of the 18th century and early 19th century, technology allowed the bells to be replaced with a tuned steel comb. Consequently, the music could be much more elaborate. Technical developments throughout the 19th century reduced the cost of these machines to such an extent that many households could afford this form of entertainment. By the late 1880's, engineers had developed a more robust system where the musical information was provided via an easily interchangeable disc rather than a more vulnerable cylinder. This system had many advantages, including the opportunity to allow the manufacture of an increasingly large repertoire of music. The early 20th century saw the introduction of many marvellous technical advances. Recordings of live music and the introduction of the wireless made the musical box redundant. Consigned to the attic or outhouse the damp and neglect of many years punishes mechanical items until they fail to function as intended, if at all. Any mechanical device, be it a car, clock or musical box will need a degree of conservation/restoration that will enable it to provide an acceptable level of performance. Interest in antique musical boxes has increased over the past 40 years and restoration techniques have been developed to enable a musical box to provide a performance equal to that when first produced. The intention of this web site is to invite you to view the finished item at Tunbridge Wells or at other events during the year (see 'News'). Buying is not compulsory, understanding the difference between 'as found' and fit to enjoy, is. Having been buying, selling and involved in the restoration of musical boxes for nearly 20 years, we have plenty to discuss. Stephen T. P. Kember Having graduated in 1982 with an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, my first salaried job was with Lucas CAV. As the engineering qualification was obtained via a 'Sandwich Course', Lucas CAV had already given me two years industrial experience. Over the next six months my application for an Associate membership of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers was accepted. However, the call of the saleroom got louder and louder. I was not the corporate body I was supposed to be. The prospect of being a small tooth on a very small cog in a large multinational company was pretty stifling to say the least! I decided to cut lose and do for a living what had been one of my hobbies since I was sixteen, visiting salerooms and antiques fairs looking for scientific instruments or any other sort of antique gadget. A sense of discovery had taken me into engineering. This had given me an insight into the motivation behind the great movers and shakers of our past. Names like Brunel, Watt, Wedgwood and Harrison has an aura surrounding them that drew me like an irresistible magnetic force to the things that would have been around them years ago. Twenty-two years later the force is just as strong. Dealing in cylinder and disc musical boxes goes part way to quenching my thirst for discovery. The original manufacturers of musical boxes were not trying to create antiques, they were using the most up to date technology of the day to create entertainment for people (and make a living in the process). The purchase of a piece of Swiss technology must have seemed exotic in 1870. It's still very exciting today!