A Nicole Freres Masterpiece. “The Holy Grail of Music Boxes”. If you are interested in acquiring a fine Swiss music box, then you must certainly be aware of the premier maker, a family enterprise that essentially founded the business of making music boxes, and made only “The Best” for many years. Their Geneva-based firm remains the gold standard of music boxes to this day. We are pleased to offer this, the finest type of cylinder music box made by Nicole, or anyone else for that matter. Bearing serial #40441, dating to 1865, it plays four operatic overtures, the titles of which can be seen on the original engraved tune card shown in the pictures: Semiramide, Freischutz, Magic Flute and William Tell. The mechanism consists of a 4″ diameter x 17″ long cylinder and combs with hundreds of finely spaced teeth. There are all in tune with no damper squeaks or other noises. About 15 years ago we sent the mechanism to the Baud Museum in L’Auberson, Switzerland, who have the world’s highest-regarded music box workshop. They thoroughly restored the mechanism to as-new condition, tuning every tooth and damper in the process, etc. Thus, it plays as well as it did when it was made in 1865. The casework, measuring 29″ x 11″ x 9, with extensive decorative, mother-of-pearl, and brass inlay, was sent to the famed Atelier Margot, also in Switzerland, who did a similar restoration to bring it to as-new condition. Music boxes such as this were not mass-produced; indeed Grand Format overture pieces were specially commissioned for wealthy buyers and royalty. They rarely, if ever, come up for sale. This has been in our collection for about 15 years, and only advancing age prompts it’s sale. We have other overture music boxes in stock, including a Piano Forte Grand Format Overture. We are a leading world-wide dealer and specialist in mechanical music, clocks and phonographs and stand by what we sell 100%. Musical Treasures of Miami. 2940 West Lake Vista Circle, Davie, FL 33328. Antique Music Boxes – Clocks – Phonographs. Best Quality Best Selection Best Guarantee.