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Antique and Collectible Music Boxes

Ranked #487 in Music, #11,254 overall

Music Boxes are Awesome!

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I just love the sound of antique and new music boxes. They bring back great memories. And there is so much history that goes with them, too.

Did you know that music boxes didn't exist as we know them today until the 1700's?

They were first popular with people who had a lot of money, such as royalty or millionaires. Later, they were mass manufactured and more people could afford them.

Of course, when other inventions, like radios, record players, etc. became popular, music boxes really weren't as needed.

But music boxes hold a special place in my heart. They are so special! I love the lovely plink, plink sound they make.

When I visited my grandmother long ago, she set a music box in my room when I went to sleep. She wound it up and said goodnight. The music box played slower and slower until it stopped, and I became sleepier and sleepier. The music box was part of what made my grandmother special. It gives me a happy feeling to remember that.

My grandmother has been gone for a long time, but I love that warm and lovely memory of her.
You know what else is neat? You can still find very collectible music boxes at thrift shops and yard sales right now.

This clipped and tilted photo of a collectible music box ballerina is by Tilemahos Efthimiadis on Flickr.

Here are some highlights of this lens...

Just click on where you'd like to go.

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  1. There are many kinds of antique music boxes.
  2. Here is an old music box - complete with ballroom dancers!
  3. This big music box is called a Porter music player.
  4. Some older music boxes used a mechanism like this.
  5. This mini music box (above) is new. It is pictured on a mirror.
  6. Many people remember a ballerina in their music box.
  7. Vote on my poll! Do you own a music box?
  8. Want to learn more about antique music boxes?
  9. I love comments!

There are many kinds of antique music boxes.

German Music box

The first music boxes used a key-wound mechanism and usually played one song. As technical expertise grew, fancier music boxes became popular. Some played more than one song.

Some later music boxes stood upright like a small desk, and played music disks you could choose from.

Other music machines were huge! People would play the music at social gatherings and with family.


Later music boxes were wonderful instruments, and played many notes at once. Beautiful and rare examples are still around today, if you can afford the high price.


And even if you can't, modern music boxes are available in many designs. They even have reproductions of old music boxes, and theme music boxes too.


Remember seeing a music box or even having one with a ballerina inside that danced? That music box could be very collectible today. It may not be antique (unless YOU are!) but it may be valuable. I have some neat pictures of music boxes here on this lens, and plan to add more later on.


This German music box is not dated, but looks vintage. The photo is by albany_tim / Tim Schapker from Albany, New York.

Here is his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/albany_tim/

Amazon music box (and music) finds.

The music really surprised me.

I don't remember ever seeing music box music for sale before. Ever!
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Big music box with dancers

Here is an old music box - complete with ballroom dancers! 

I like this old music box. (above)

The above photo is by This photo is by jaci XIII / jaci Lopes dos Santos. He is from Brazil.

Here is his Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/people/turatti/

Music box teeth

Here is what some music box mechanisms look like. 

Are you good at fixing things?

There is a market for fixers of old music boxes.

Old music boxes can be restored. Sometimes the hardest part of doing this is replacing parts to the player mechanism of the music box.


There are not many people who can do this. So... it might be a good hobby business or more to a handy entrepreneur.


The photo above of a music box mechanism was shot by tamakisono / sono tamaki from Shiga, Japan. His Flickr profile page is here: http://www.flickr.com/people/tamakisono/.

A Porter music player.

This big music box is called a Porter music player. 

Aren't music boxes pretty?

I sure think so.

I'll bet this Porter music box (above) sounds beautiful.


This photo of a Porter music player that uses disks is by Howard N2GOT / Howard Brier. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.


His profile page on Flickr is here: http://www.flickr.com/people/33764571@N00/

New mini music box

Some older music boxes used a mechanism like this. 

This mini music box (above) is new. It is pictured on a mirror.

This model is very popular right now.

I like this little mini music box. When it is played, you can watch the mechanism work. Old, antique music boxes sometimes hid their mechanism as part of a jewelry box and were tightly encased in wood or other materials.


The mini music box photo (below) on a mirror is by zeevveez (Zeev Barkan) at Flickr. He lives in Israel. His profile page on Flickr is here: http://www.flickr.com/people/zeevveez/

Cool music links

Here are some music box links.

Listed here are music box groups, history sites, photo sites, music sites, and more.

There are some great photos of music boxes on some of these sites. And the MBSI site (the first link) is full of great information. I had fun finding these links.
The Music Box Society International
This group has a photo section, publication links, music files to listen to, an event calendar, a list of museums that have music boxes, a great links page of restorers and sellers of music boxes.
Mechanical Music Links
These links include personal websites, photo galleries, dealers and stores, and some message boards too.
The Music Box Man's Music Box Links
These link page also includes music boxes for sale, musical toys for sale, manufacturer's sites, ebay auction links, and musical toy links.
From Collector's World: About Music Boxes
There is some good advice here about not getting rooked by people selling online who say they don't know much about collecting music boxes or other things, but they really do, and misrepresent what they sell. Also here on this site are other collector groups besides the popular Music Box Society International (MBSI).
The Music boxes listening station page on Music Box Attic
This site has 18 to 72 note music box music you can listen to. There are lots of samples. You can even order the ones you like!
I had no idea there was such an exhaustive list of songs you could order for your music box. It is so fun listening to the different tunes here too
The History of Wind-up Music Boxes
This article explains the earliest music boxes, how they were made, and what inspired them. It takes the reader through history to the current popularity of music boxes that are more affordable than ever.
How to make a music box with a moving ballerina
I didn't know you could do this (at least fairly easily...) until I started researching this lens. How cool! If you are handy, and have a small (or grown-up) daughter, consider doing this project. You can order the perfect song for it too at the Music Boxes Listening Station, here on this Links module.

Here are some other music box and antique lenses I like.

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Music box ballerina

Many people remember a ballerina in their music box. 

Isn't she sweet?

I think so.

This ballerina photo (above) is by Efthimiadis / Tilemahos Efthimiadis from Greece. His Flickr page is here: http://www.flickr.com/people/telemax/

He says "This music(-al) box plays Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".

I love all kinds of music boxes - old and new.

I am glad that there are all kinds of music boxes today. Antique music boxes are great, but some of the new ones are pretty too.

Vote on my poll! Do you own a music box?

Just check which one applies to you in the list below.

Thanks!

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Want to buy an antique music box?

Here on some that are rare.

They are listed now on Ebay.
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And here are some more antique ones.

They are a bit less expensive.

Go down a bit more if you are interested in less expensive music boxes.
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And here are some affordable music boxes

Some may be antique, others maybe not.

Here are some music boxes that may be retro, and less expensive.
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Want to learn more about antique music boxes?

Here are some books from Amazon.

These books give information suitable for the music box collector. Find out values, types of music boxes, manufacturers, and more.
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  • sandyswriter-review May 23, 2012 @ 10:43 am | delete
    I have had a few music boxes. Love the antique ones.
  • aesta1 May 17, 2012 @ 10:06 pm | delete
    I love music boxes especially the vintage ones.
  • bejeezers Feb 25, 2012 @ 11:15 am | delete
    I just love these music boxes. Reminds me of my childhood...
  • bharat01 Dec 29, 2011 @ 10:26 am | delete
    Nice collection of Music Boxes, and I love it too......., It's Awesome lens......., Great Job.......:)
  • Mistel Nov 13, 2011 @ 6:04 am | delete
    I feel like a child again when looking over this lens.Really cool collection. :)
  • skeffling Oct 28, 2011 @ 12:37 pm | delete
    I love music boxes. Interesting lens! I LOVE the Porter!
  • grannysage Jul 12, 2011 @ 11:02 pm | delete
    When I was a child, I met a lady who collected music boxes. She put them on display in our little one room schoolhouse, hundreds of them! I was totally hooked. I started collecting my own, asking for a new one for birthdays and Christmas. I remember taking my collection to school for show and tell. I was so thrilled when the teacher put money in my dancing clown bank. Great memories.
  • Tipi Mar 2, 2011 @ 9:18 pm | delete
    I have always loved music boxes. My sister and I fell in love with one in a shop when we were little. We decided to save our allowance and every time we went to town, we would visit our music box until that wonderful day when we had saved enough. It was a beautiful smokey metallic blue with multi colored gems on top.
  • lizziebeth Apr 8, 2011 @ 5:30 pm | delete
    What a neat story, Tipi! I wonder who has the music box now.
  • Koupie Feb 9, 2011 @ 3:19 pm | delete
    I love them too, and have a few that are about 30 yrs old now, they were gifted to me when I was younger, I guess they are vintage not antique :)
  • lizziebeth Apr 8, 2011 @ 5:30 pm | delete
    I guess first we turn vintage, then we turn antique, along with a lot of things around us. ;-)
  • Momsbusy247 Feb 9, 2011 @ 12:38 am | delete
    I love music boxes and I am lens rolling this to my own music box lens. Great job here, these are wonderful boxes.
  • lizziebeth Apr 8, 2011 @ 5:31 pm | delete
    Thank you!
  • lizziebeth Apr 8, 2011 @ 5:34 pm | delete
    Thank you for lensrolling this lens. I am glad you like it too.
  • mbgphoto Feb 5, 2011 @ 8:37 am | delete
    I really enjoy music boxes. I have started each of my granddaughters with a music box collection and I give them a new box each Christmas.
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lizziebeth

Hi! My name is Lizziebeth on Squidoo.

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