Western Morning News (Saturday)
Rare mechanical music players
THE polyphon is a disc playing music box, first manufactured in Germany, around 1870. It is not uncommon to find table polyphons at auction today, however free-standing upright polyphons are extremely rare. Coming up for sale in June at Plymouth Auction Rooms will be three examples, which were purchased by the owner in Leipzig (the home of the polyphons) some 30 years ago.
The polyphon discs have a tune which is punched out on the disc, with pitch determined by the position of the punching. Each polyphon is powered by a hand wound clockwork motor, and the two upright examples at the auction are the ‘coin operated’ machines.
The collection comprises a fine table Polyphon by Orphenion considered the very best table music boxes to come out of Germany. This model dates from 1890 to 1900, and as a non-coin operated model suggests it was a centrepiece in a private house. Measuring 70cm x 50cm, it is of a good size and housed in figured and burr walnut case. This is estimated at £2,000 to £3,000.
The coin in the slot upright music box named Kalliope set in mahogany, is complete with a disc bin, and further polyphon discs. This particular model by virtue of the five pfennig coin in the slot suggests it was installed in a bar or novelty shop somewhere in Germany. This is model is estimated at £3,000 to £4,000.
Particularly rare is the impressive Adler, set with huge 65.50cm discs and complete with its original disc bin, this cabinet polyphon is set with its original ‘Adler’ etched glass door and also has a five pfennig slot mechanism. Standing at 235cm tall in a superb walnut cabinet, bidding is set at £6,000 to £8,000.
Each of these music boxes can be viewed at the home of the owner, by appointment with Plymouth Auction Rooms. The auction will be held at the Saleroom on June 8 at 10.30am.
Listen to the beautiful sounds of each music box at plymouthauctions.co.uk.