Wooden Inlaid Music Boxes | Music Boxes | Collectible Music Box | Vintage Music Box
If you are old enough to remember the early 1900's, then you will remember the music box first became popular during the early 19th century. Hundred plus years later, the music box has kept it fundamental form and purpose while remaing pretty the same as compared to the earlier music boxes. The majority of music boxes had a revolying cylinder that struck the teeth of a metal comb with. The music box teeth (or pins) of the comb produced vibrations after being struck. Each tooth gave forth a precise tone, very simliar to the strings in a piano. The engine (a spring motor) would be wound up with a key to give the motor tension and as it unwind, the cyclinder would turn striking the pins we have been talking about. Out would come the music. The cylinder in the music box is often wound up by hand in order to put a spring motor under tension. In its charming way, it was pretty cool while the modern versions did away with this small labor chore and replace the music box with a battery. Most people will tell you there is no difference but I am not sure.
The wooden inlaid music boxes are still popular and admired for not only their sound but also their beauty and craftsmanship. There are metal and ceramic boxes around and produced but there is just something about a music box made out of exotic wood. The beauty of the box tells you there is some beautful to play once you wind it up. More than likely it will be a classical song or lullaby. It certainly won't be something from the top 10 hit list of today. The popularity and demand for the music box has not declined. Collectors of antique or collectible music boxes find that these beauties of the past can command hundreds and even thousands of dollars at auctions. The next time you clean out your garage, don't discard those old boxes, you truly might be throwing not junk but money.
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