J H Heller Orchestra Cylinder Music Box with Organ, Drums, 6 Bells & Castanets, ca 1866, #3 of 8 Cyl

This fabulous Interchangeable Music Box with 8 Cylinders doesnt look like much. Its rather small in comparison to the other Orchestra music boxes I've seen but it packs a lot of sound and the arrangement of instruments is beautifully conducted. The organ on these boxes usually overpowers the other instruments so Ive never been a fan. My pal/collector refers to these as Garbage boxes and he kind of convinced me of the fact BUT this box made me a believer in how nice an orchestra box can sound with its 6 bells, snare drum and castagnettes accompanying the organ and the 80 note of piccolo comb teeth so well.
The music box has 2 split combs -- 43 tooth comb on mid-left and 38 tooth comb on mid-right and a central comb that triggers the brass bar & pin triggered 20 note organ There is a 6 tooth comb at far left to operate the drum and 13 tooth combs at far right to operate the bells and castagnettes
The full 8 cylinder tune sheet has “J H Heller” added script at top and the American retailer, “Henry Gautschi and Sons / Philadelphia” in print on label across the bottom. Its obvious even that anyone involved with this fine box wanted there name associated with it. The storage table with its single drawer with lift lid snugly stores 7 of the 16” long cylinders, while the 8th cylinder plays in the machine.
There gorgeous case and table with rich heart grained rosewood veneer is adorned with pewter and mother of pearl diamond shape accents on front of box and the lifting flaps. The are quality brass castors on the finely turned legs which may be removed for easy moving.
The box plays a classic selections off some of the finest opera ever written. The box is in original condition and plays well but it's such a rare and wonderful sounding piece of history, it is worthy of a full tuning and restoration which someday I hopefully can arrange to be conducted in the future.
Cylinder #3
1 00:13 "Fra Diavolo" (1830) - Motif de l'Ouverture - Daniel Auber
2 01:02 "Undine" (1835) - Finale du 3rd acte - A. Lortzing
3 02:02 "L'Africaine" (1865) - Scene du mancenillier - G Meyerbeer
4 02:51 "Don Pasquale" (1843) - Un fuoco insolito - G. Donizetti
5 03:56 "Fille de la Regiment" (1840) - Au bruite de la guerre - Donizetti
6 04:43 "Il Trovatore" (1853) - Perigliarti - G. Verdi
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Harvey Webber
[e-mail]
Hampton, NH
I'm always buying, repairing and selling fine antiques, clocks and music boxes. If you are interested in procuring one, I am happy to assist you. It been years learning these fine instruments and worth having an expert help you acquire a great piece rather than buy a poor example that you will regret. I often rotate my collection so I always have boxes for sale. I will soon set up a format here to display items in inventory.
I will soon be setting up a format to sell items for other collectors too so let me know your situation and I may be able to assist you.
Call or text me anytime at 603-396-0192
ABOUT ME sellall on eBay aka Harvey Webber but I rarely sell my better items there.
Glad to meet you!!
I used to operate a family antique business in Hampton NH which has been in existence at the same location for over 70 years. The property has been sold and I still dabble in certain special pieces and help decorators find heirlooms for collectors.
My expertise is in clocks, antiques, music boxes, fine art, glass, painting and lamps. I have been on ebay since almost the beginning, and my business incl having auctions and setting up at antiques shows all across the country.