MERMOD FRERES “IDEAL QUATTOR SOPRANO”. FOUR (4) INTERCHANGEABLE CYLINDERS. We have recently acquired this exceptional music box, one of the premier offerings of it’s maker. Mermod Freres, of St. Croix, Switzerland was a renowned maker of watches, clocks and music boxes, always known for the highest quality. Late in the 19th century, the invention of the disk music box caused them some degree of alarm, as they were in many ways louder and more resonant than cylinder boxes. While also branching out and making disk boxes under the Mira and Stella names, they redesigned their cylinder music boxes to compete as well. Indeed the sound resonance and volume of these “Ideal” music boxes is just great. This is called a “quattor” music box because of it’s tuning arrangement being a four-part harmony soprano. Very complex passages are accomplished, with surprising depth. The tune cards for each cylinder are shown. The last patent date shown on the nameplate is 1890, and Serial # 118773 dates this to about 1899. The cylinders themselves are 20″ long and 3.5″ diameter, larger and fatter than most of the Grand Format Overture music boxes produced earlier in the century. There are literally thousands of pins on each of the nickel-plated cylinders. Each of the six (6) airs on each cylinder play for almost two (2) minutes. The movement itself has a giant spring, outside winding handle, and a stop/start activator, speed controller, tune indicator and selector, and a “Jacot’s Safety Check” (preventing cylinder runs in case of governor failure). The combs are in perfect condition, with no broken or replaced teeth. The solid mahogany case, (43″ x 19″ x 13 high) together with the huge movement, makes for a very heavy piece indeed. This table is later-made and measures 55″ x 21″ x31 high, and matches the music box detailing and scrollwork magnificently. Musicaltreasuresofmiami – Mermod Quattor Ideal Soprano Music Box – YouTube. This is a very special music box and one of only a few we’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. It is suitable for any home or castle! We are a leading world-wide dealer and specialist in mechanical music, clocks and phonographs and stand by what we sell 100%. We have many hundreds of items for sale at: musicaltreasuresofmiami. Musical Treasures of Miami. 2940 West Lake Vista Circle, Davie, FL 33328. Antique Music Boxes – Clocks – Phonographs. The item “MERMOD FRERES QUATTOR INTERCHANGEABLE CYLINDER MUSIC BOX WE SHIP WORLDWIDE” is in sale since Friday, February 14, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Music Boxes\Pre-1900″. The seller is “musicaltreasuresofmiami” and is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland