, 1885-09-23
THE MODERN MUSIC BOX


song Interesting Facts Not Generanr
Rno~n-Hlgh-Priesd Bore-
New York Mall aad Express.
-Thcre are a good many facts about
music boxes that the public are mol aware
of. " remarked a dealer 10 a reporter re.
Gently. In the first place. they were in
vented 100 years ago and in Swit1era nl
They all come from that country. even at
the present time. WHY Fecnuse the
labor required to make them is too costly
in this country. The length OF time a
must box will play varies considerable
They are furnished with one. two. oT
four powerful springs. and will play for
four. six. eight. fifteen twenty five or
seventy five minutes. according to the
size OF the box and the number OF springs
II Is provided with As u rule the works
are inclosed in highly polished iulaid
cases of a variety Of rich woods. They
never require tuning, as many people sup.
osc. Tut If the simple instructions
which accompany each box are followed.
they will last n lifetime. re iuiring. like a
clock. only an occasional cleaning. There
are a number of cautions which should be
told 10 every one who owns a music box.
Under no circumstances should 1t be
moved while 1t is playing. II should never
be allowed 10 remain run down In the
middle of a tune. neither the fly-wheel
nor any part of the movement should be
unscrewed unless It Is certain that the in
strument has entirely run down"
What is new Ia the music box liner"
Several things One with interchange
able cylinders, for instance. Boxes with
only one cylinder play from one TO twelve
tunes. but we have just introduced a class
OF boxes with interchangeable cylinders
of six tunes each. BY means of these the
numbc Of tunes 10 box may be incrcased
indefinitely We keep these cylinders in
stock and special tunes are often ordered
for them. Another new thing is the
Narcotics. n musical doll made in Paris.
II is u dolls head and shoulders attached
to a stick in the shape Of a handle. and
the child by taking hold Of the stick and
whirling ii aroun In a small circle.
make the head move while the music
box inside plays a tune. The whole con.
t~rivance Is about a foot long. and the dolls
have very pretty faces and are tastefully
dressed In red, white and blue. Another
novelty is a cigar holder with places for a
large number of cigars. 1t IS turret-
shaped. with doors at each partition. and
as IL moves around it plays u tune, The
dolls cost 81 each, and the cigar stands
from 81. 80 upwards
What tunos do people prefer in the
boxes just now"
Light operate music and popular
American airs. But there Is no end to
the variety Of tunes in them. Our boxes
are provided with all the favorite dances.
marches, national airs. and ballads. as
well as with the best selections from the
most popular operas. ballots, etc.
What are aome Of the pricesf7
"You eau buy a music box for 90 cents,
and have sold one In this city for as
high as 50, 200. But this was a number
of years ago. Some are as large as an
upright piano. and cost 80, 900. These
have an unlimited number of tunes, owing
TO the interchangeable cylinders The 30
cent boxes have twenty eight teeth, play
one tune, and are made round or square.
of japanned tin. wood. or papier. maohe. y